Productive Day!!  I love those kind of days.  It is Friday and I got most of the errands done, the house is clean and ready to enjoy the weekend. 

Have you ever had a project that you have procrastinated so much on that you think you might as well give up.  Or really the problem is that you are not finishing the project because you think the results will be failure.  I have that HUGELY occurring in my life!  Due to heath reasons with my pregnancy I have not finished my thesis.  And now I am very scared to do it.  

But have a great plan for completing it, and actually worked on the first two items on my list that I had to do for my thesis.   I am desparate at this point to finish this #$#^^%  thing and get on with my life.  It is such a guilt hanging over my head.  I am actually checking into a hotel all by myself next week and hopefully finishing up my paper!    I think I will be able to finish it.   I have never been away from the baby overnight, but I feel that I have to do this if I am ever to complete the thesis.   It is only two days out of his life and he will never know the difference, but he will have his mommy back all to him again after that.  No more nagging guilt when playing with the baby that I should be doing my thesis, etc.

I plan on doing my oral presentation in May with time for revisions in June.  Then I will have the summer free from this guilt of completing this long overdue project.  

I have accomplished alot in my life, but this thesis is the hardest thing mentally for me to do.  I have never experienced such a fear to complete something.   Well I am off to read a bit and try to relax.

Tomorrow we are off to see the baby farm animals and the Easter Bunny.  Actually all the kids are asleep all 4 of them.   Hubby just left to pick up Josh from his youth group midnighter. 

FRIDAY!!

Yeah...I slept in till 9:30 that felt amazing. I should get the baby up soon or his schedule will be all off.  Today is a day my son, Josh will want added to the history books.  Our school district actually cancelled school today due to the amount of snow!  This is the first time they have done this in 5 years.  When we lived in more rural Minnesota, school would often be cancelled since the bus couldn't get the more rural children into school.  But now living in the cities, the kids all live closer to the school.   Josh was just commenting last night about never having school cancelled anymore.  So this morning he came in our room at 6:30 to say, SCHOOLS CANCELLED!!   We do have a lot of snow!   So Josh is a happy boy!  Tommy's school was cancelled today as well. 

I had taken today off to work on some research.  I will be able to get the stuff on the Internet done, but probably won't venture out to the University of MN today.  The roads are getting pretty cleared, but after a big snow it seems like most people have forgotten how to drive in snow.  You really have to watch out for the other drives a lot.

Tonight Erik comes for the weekend.  I also will have Nick and Kristen over night tonight since Chelsea has a dance competition tomorrow morning.   So the kids are coming at supper time tonight.  We are having scalloped potatoes and ham with salad. 

Tomorrow we are heading to the Rosedale Mall.  They are having the MN zoo there with baby farm animals and of course the Easter Bunny will be there.  So we will be taking all 5 kids with us for an outing.  I am sure it will be fine.  Josh and Hubby both help with the kids a lot.

Well the baby is waking up so I best get going and get him ready and fed.  Then it is off to do some research.  

Have a great FRIDAY!!  The weekend is almost here!

Hello??  Hello???  IS this thing on???   Where is everyone, did you go off and get lives on me.  ROFL.   Seems like everyone is pretty busy. 

I slept in this morning a bit, I needed that!  I feel a bit better.  It has been a busy week, with me working 12 hours on Monday and 8 on Tuesday.  I am hoping today will be jsut a normal day.  

Tonight we have Families First class, I have no idea what the topic is or if we have a speaker.  thursday night the Pastor is coming over to visit.  He is going to all the homes of confirmation students to meet them.  That should be interesting. 

Joshua watched Tommy last night for us while we ran to Target.  It is so nice to have a child old enough to care for the baby so we don't have to drag him out in the cold weather.   We have been so lucky with Tommy really not getting sick at all this year.  He has never ran a fever or had an ear ache.  I think it really helps to not have him in daycare.

I bought a box of baby rice cereal last night, so I think in a week or so I will try Tommy on cereal.  I am still concerned he is not drinking enough formula. 

Well nothing else new around here,  in the xanga world, I was saddened to hear about MomMom2EandJ's dog Gracie.  I really feel for their family and hope Gracie is better soon.  My thoughts have been with them.  My brother's dog was ill and it was so very hard on him.  The dog had a nuber of strokes and couldn't walk hardly, and my brother would carry him up and down the stairs, etc.  This was a large dog, too.

KimmiesMommies hectic time with the fiddler on the roof is winding down.   I have been getting tired just reading her blog, but I think it is so wonderful how involved she is with her daughter.  the love she has for her is so evident through her blog.   *smile.  It is nice...

Welll wishing everyone a great day!!!!!  

MORNING.......

Just a quick hello before heading off to work, and I think I hear my little man waking up as well. 

I received my first Chapter a Day mailing today.  It was enjoyable to read while I had my breakfast.  I usually read the paper and stuff online while I eat and my by morning Diet Mt. Dew....yeah I know, not great nutrition, but I need caffeine and I can't stand coffee.   So pop it is!  I had a bagel too!

The book this morning was  .  I will probably check it out at our library if it turns out to be good.

Tommy is up and having a bottle with Daddy.  I got his dressed this am and actually have him in size 12 months.  ARGH...I went through the 12 months box yesterday and some of the clothes are fitting him great.  I can't believe he is 4-1/2 months old and wearing size 12 months.   I don't think much of the summer clothes we have are even going to fit him.  ARGH...we got alot of summer clothes size 6-9 months as shower gifts, but I think that those won't be worn at all.  So I guess I will be heading to Once Upon A child (OUAC) to outfit him for summer soon.

We picked up this toy for Tommy at OUAC yesterday, it has been hours of fun already.  He really likes watching the balls bounce and he tries to touch them.  It is really cute.  But then I am his mom and I think everything is cute!! ROFL!

I am off to shower and head to work.  I actually have a late meeting tonight so won't be home until probably after 7:00.

It is getting to be that time of night to check in and call it a night.  Today was pretty normal day, church and a bit of shopping.  We went to Once Upon A Child for a pair of shoes, but Daddy bought a few toys for Tommy as well. 

The rest of the day I hung out with Tommy.  I also went through his clothes and moved the size 12 months clothes into his drawers.  He is going through these sizes like there's no tomorrow.  Then it was bath time and a bit of time for Mommy to hang on the computer avoiding the things she really should be doing...LOL!!

So instead I decided to change my site to look wintery, but a bit more fun.  I have to try to celebrate this snow since I am getting sick of it.  Well I have to do some quick clean up and head to bed.

Before I go I wanted to share a cool site with you I found today.  This site is called Chapter A Day.  They will send your via email 5 minutes worth of reading from the book of the week and then you get to read the first few chapters to see if you want to read more or not.   Figure I might find a few new books I would not have otherwise discovered.  

Hello..........The word in Minnesota for the day is BBRRRRRRRRRRR!!!  Man is it cold and windy.  We almost cancelled goign to the movie since it was blowing so much this morning.

Today has been a pretty good day.   I got most of my cleaning done this morning.   Which is a good feeling, I have a little bit of laundry to put away yet. 

Hubby went to pick up Lisa.  Tommy wont up from his very short nap, right before Lisa got here.  He was very crabby.  I gave him to her and he just screamed.  We tried to calm him down before we left, but it didn't work well.  So we left and he fussed for about 15 minutes Lisa said, then he fell asleep.  He wont up happy after that. 

Hubby and I went to the movie Dragonfly.  I really enjoyed the movie (though I was worried if Tommy was still crying).  As soon as the movie was over I called and all was fine with Tommy.  WHEW!!  So we went through the drive through at Fazoli's, since we have been meaning to try their food.  We came home and had supper with Lisa then took her home to get ready for her next babysitting job.  She did fine with Tommy and we might have her watch him again next month.  We will see.  But the movie was good, the food ok!

Since our date was done by 5:00. We spent the rest of the evening just hanging out with the baby.  Tommy has a couple of cute new tricks.   He likes to sit on your lap and you put his arms up straight and say "SO BIG" after that he will put his arms up himself.  It is cute....  I also taught him to give kisses...LOL!!  Hubby doesn't appreciate that as much, Tommy comes at your face open mouthed and slobbers on you.  LOL!!  I think it is cute.  You have to kiss him on the cheek first, though.  

We have been working on clapping this week...LOL!! He likes to hold on to your hands while you clap.  Every once in a while if you stop you will feel pressure of him trying to make you clap again.  But he has no interest in clapping with his own hands. 

Well I am about finished with my wine cooler, so I think I will head to bed.  Though Tommy is fussing a bit in his crib right now. 

Hope everyone has a great night!  Chat at ya tomorrow!

ARGh...Saturday Morning............

It is about 7:30am and what in the world am I doing up on the only day of the week that I get to sleep in???  The baby was fussing so I waited for him to settle down and go back to sleep.  He usually will, but no luck.  SO I get up and make a pitcher of formula for the day, fill his bottle, head back to the nursery to see that *now he has fallen back to sleep.  ARgh.....thanks alot.   So I am up!  I had been up at 3:00am too, because my hubby couldn't sleep so he had gotten up and watched TV in the living room, but he had left the bedroom light on which woke me up.  I was a bit mad.  So my plans of catching up on sleep are done for. 

So instead I will get an early shower, scrub the kitchen and bathroom, put away the clean laundry on the dining room table and do some general cleaning.  Maybe I can steal a few moments to read the paper or a book. 

I know I have some time so I am off to visit a few of you and read my email!   Have a great Saturday!  We have out computer in front of  window now, so as I type I can watch the lovely snow coming down.  It looks like it is a bit windy out as well.  I hope the roads are ok, I would like to run to the bank this morning, SINCE I AM UP!

HAPPY HAPPY FRIDAY!!  

This morning we attended our first ECFE class.  Tommy enjoyed the class.  He played at the doll station, the tent station and the water mat one.   He enjoyed circle time and they sang one of his favorite songs from Families First. 

Tommys here today....
Tommys here today
Clap your hands and
Clap your hands
Tommys here today

Yep, that is Tommy's favorite song!  There are a number of babies in the group probably about 10 or so.  Paul enjoyed it too, until a mom or two had to breast feed their babies.  LOL!!  He was a bit uncomfortable.  The ladies were not, they just fed their children and kept talking to us.  LOL!!   Paul is so funny! 

Ok, here is the new recipe I tried this week.  We had it of or supper tonight.  Everyone seemed to like it, so into our family cookbook it will go.

CHEDDAR CHICKEN PIE

3 Cups (12 oz's) Shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained
1-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken
2/3 cup finely chopped onion
1-1/3 cups milk
3 eggs
3/4 cup biscuit/baking mix
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a bowl, combine 2 cups cheese, broccoli, chicken, and onion; spread into a greased 10-in. pie plate.  In a small mixing bowl, beat milk, eggs, biscuit mix, salt and pepper until smooth.  Pour over broccoli mixture (do not stir).

Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until a knife inserted hear the center comes out clean.  Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.  Let stand for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

---     QUICK COOKING March/April 2002

TOMMY'S ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK

I ordered the book Slow and Steady Get Me Ready from Amazon.  I received it today.  I has 260 weekly developmental activities from birth to age 5.

Tom's activity for the week.....I thought I would share this since a couple subscribers have children the same age and are looking for activities for their babies as well. 

WEEK 20 (Tommy is 20 weeks today)

Hold your baby in your lap and encourage the baby to watch as you place your hands together.  Move your hands apart and them together again.  Repeat this several times so that the baby is aware of what you are doing.  Continue to do this as you say "Pat a cake, Pat a cake, a baker's man.  Bake me a cake as fast as you can.  Roll it and pat it and mark it with a (B), and put it in the oven for Baby and me."

Repeat this several times and observe the baby.  Does he appear to be interested?  Does he attempt to clap his hands to play pat a cake?  If not encourage the baby to copy the pat a cake hand movements.  If you substitute the initial letter of the baby's name and use the baby's name in the rhyme, he may listen more attentively.

You may need to gently hold the baby's wrists and assist him.  With practice the baby will play pat a cake spontaneously. 

Remember that babies enjoy and need much repetition. 

This activity develops

• 
  
  more of an awareness of hands
  
  
• 
  
  listening skills
  
  
• 
  
  an awareness of rhythm and rhyme
  
  
• 
  
  observational skills

We have been playing this with Tommy for a month already so this isn't anything new for him.   But he doesn't clap on his own or try.  He likes to hang on to my wrists as I clap.

Well I am off to spend the evening with the family.  Play with Tommy and just relax.  Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend planned. 

My niece just called and is confirming the time to baby sit tomorrow.  She will watch Tommy from 2:00 until like 6:00 at the latest.  Then she has another sitting job at 7:00pm.  Busy gal!

Thursday....always an enjoyable evening.   I veg on Thursdays and watch Friends and ER.  Let's see....what is new around here. Nothing....same old. 

I enjoyed the speaker from Creative Memories the other night at Families First.  She made me feel pretty guilt about not having albums together so Josh, etc.  I wish I had time, but it has motivated me to at least organize the memorabilia and pictures by years, etc.

I am so excited we got a call for the Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) center that they had a cancellation and therefore an opening in their current class.   There is 10 weeks left in the class so we said we would take the spot.  So Tommy starts school tomorrow, his teacher's name is Nicole.  I can't believe how hard it is to get into their play groups....ARGH!   So now we will see if we even like it.   So I plan on going into the office later every Friday so I can go to the class most weeks with Paul and Tommy.

The only other earth shaking news is that ....................Paul and I are going out to a movie Saturday!   I really don't want to, but Paul is with the baby all the time and really wants to get out.  I would rather just stay home with Tommy...I miss him so when I am at work.  But I decided I could handle a afternoon movie.  So my 14 year old niece Lisa is going to baby sit.  I am a bit nervous.  But her mom does daycare so she has cared for many babies...and she is a great kid!!!!!!!!!

Well I am off to bed so I can get up early and go to school with Tommy.  

BTW, CUPOJAVA???   Was today your little man's appointment at the DR??  How did is go?? How did the shots go??  Did he run a fever or anything?   IS he starting cereal, what does he weigh....etc..   It is great having someone with a little guy the same age. 

Have a great night...and yes, it is snowing again in MN!

GOOD MORNING.........

Well I am up and ready to leave for work.  Hubby is snowblowing the driveway so I have to wait a bit to leave.  So what else would I do with my time than blog.  LOL!!  

I actually worked from home yesterday as Tommy was still running a bit of a fever.  I know I don't *need to stay home with him when he is sick, since my hubby is here.  But I feel so terrible to leave my baby when he isn't feeling well.  So more for me than him, I worked from home yesterday.   He slept alot since he wasn't feeling well so I got a lot done.  

For work I got three projects I had been procrastinating about done.   Now if I would jsut get the one at home done that I am procrastinating about.   I am terrible about that.  If it is something I don't want to do, I will find anything else to do to not do it!

Well I'm off to work.  Baby is still sleeping, but I guess I will have to leave without getting him ready for his day.   

Tonight we have Families First and we are havinga speaker again.  It will be a creative memories lady.  Should be fun, though I NEVER has time to scrap book.  I have none done of Tommy's.  I need to do that..............I dont' even have my wedding scrap book done!