Monday, April 30, 2012

I'm going to be.....

a third grade teacher next year!  Last Friday morning as I was teaching my heart out, my principal came to my classroom door and said she needed to speak with me.  I had a horrible week with some discipline issues and thought that it may have something to do with that.  She told me to grab the student teacher next door and get her on track as to what I was working on and then come to the assistant principal's office.  My heart was pounding until I looked out in the hallway and saw one of my team teachers waiting as well.  Well, my heart really started pounding!  We walked the short distance to the assistant principal's office and one of my other team members was sitting there.  I looked at her and said, "what's going on?"  My principal and assistant principal both started laughing!  It was at that point that I knew everything was going to be ok. 
They started off by saying that there have been a lot of changes and that we would be losing one of our teammates to pre-k.  They told us the teacher that would be joining our team and then went on to say that they would love for us to teach 3rd grade next year.
I am very excited and somewhat nervous.  I will teach 3rd grade and then loop back to 2nd to get another group of students.  I will teach the same (majority of) students for 2 years.  The good thing is that I will not have to change classrooms, I will just have to make my room look like 3rd grade. 
I plan to use many ideas from pinterst!  So, I am going to be a very busy bee over the summer.  I feel like once I get things established and organized the transitions from year to year will not be bad.  So...wish me luck as I embark on this new journey!

1 Semester down......

3 to go!  I have officially completed my first semester towards my Specialist degree!  I've read (skimmed) two books, presented 2 projects, written 22 papers/abstracts/journals, and spent 8 nights (3 hours max) in a classroom with 10 other fabulous people.  Sounds like a lot right? Honestly, it really has not been that bad.  I spend some evenings after Dylan goes to bed working on assignments and some Saturday/Sunday "nap time" working on things.  Throughout the first semester I spent 1 entire Sunday afternoon working on things.  The only reason I had to do that was because I was sick the week before and put things off. 
I'm not looking forward to June, but I know that I can do it!  I will have classes 3 days a week for 4 weeks.  The month of July is free.  I feel like if I make it through June, it will be smooth sailing from there!

18 months

Weight: 21.5 lbs (3rd percentile)

Height: 31.5 inches (6th percentile)

Head Circumference: 19 inches  (61st percentile)  :-)
 

Motor skills:
Dylan runs, climbs, pulls, and reaches.  He can do just about anything and is not afraid to at all.  He feed himself using a spoon or fork and does a pretty good job at it.  He mimics cleaning off the table, wiping something up with a paper towel, using the swiffer on the floor, putting the leash on the dog, etc.  He can put his sandals and crocs on all by himself.  He attempts to put on his shorts, but normally ends up with both legs in the same hole.  He can put my fuzzy socks on and loves doing it!

Eating: Dylan isn't a big eater. He isn't picky; he just doesn't eat a lot. He has days where we can't feed him enough and days where he won't eat a thing. He prefers not to eat breakfast until about an hour after waking up (he gets this from me). I'm not a big fan of breakfast, but do love the works about midmorning. He is still eating pancakes, waffles, some sort of fruit, biscuits, and recently has shown some interest in cereal and oatmeal. He usually has juice first thing in the morning before breakfast. He drinks a cup of milk midmorning with a small snack (fruit, cheese, crackers). For lunch, he has leftovers from the night before, a sandwich, or a frozen meal. Sometimes his baby sitter fixes him what she had the night before. This meal is probably the hardest! If lunch is offered to early he won't eat it. If we wait "too late" he is too tired. If he eats a early lunch he has another cup of milk before his nap. If he eats a late lunch, the milk is saved for after his nap with his snack. He usually wakes up from his nap ready to eat! He enjoys fruit, crackers, or dry cereal during this time. He eats whatever we cook for supper (we try to include something he will eat). He either eats very well or picks. It's hit or miss with him and again also depends on what time he had his afternoon snack. He loves raw tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, and cucumbers. We have salad very often just so Dylan can have his favorite veggies. If he sees a tomato he will point until he gets it! He enjoys spaghetti, rice, most vegetables, bread, shredded cheese, and any kind of casserole. He does not like meat served by itself. He spits out chicken unless it's in a casserole.  (same as last month)

Clothes: still in 12 months shorts and 18 months shirts.  He wears a size 5 shoe and a size 4 diaper.

Words (communication): he says, juice, bye bye, hey, no no, mommy, daddy, dog, go, sheckles (freckles), side (outside), french fry, dadat (that, when he wants something), hot, and I'm sure a few more.  He babbles all the time and we try our best to figure out what he is saying. He says choo choo and moo.  He barks when he sees a picture of a dog.  He repeats or tries to repeat everything we say.

Favorite toy: Dylan loves books.  He will sit in the floor and just flip through the pages of any book.  He has started becoming more interested in animal toys, cars, trucks, and trains.  When we drop him off in the nursery at church, he runs straight for the train table.  We see one of those in our future!!

Sleeping: Dylan wakes up around 7:00 a.m during the week and sleeps until about 7:30 on the weekends. He takes a nap around 12:30 and wakes up around 3:30. He goes to bed at 8:00 every night.

Memories: There are so many wonderful things happening every day.  We have enjoyed playing outside with Dylan everynight.  He has a slide he loves to play on.  He enjoys walking Freckles all around the yard, riding in his wagon, playing in the dirt and rocks, searching for lady bugs, and has recently discovered that Mommy loves flowers!!  He likes to help with the laundry, sweeping the floor, and taking things to different parts of the house.  He loves eating sitting at his picnic table on the deck.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

18 months old

....coming soon!....  Dylan has a Dr.'s appointment tomorrow!  I will post after it!

5 year anniversary

Michael and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary on Saturday.  It was really cool that it was on a Saturday this year.  I had a very busy and fun morning, so we weren't sure if we would be able to go out later that evening or not. 
We both got up early with Dylan on Saturday morning.  He was having a playdate with two of his favorite people (Andrew and Claire).  Michael asked me if I wanted my gift, I could tell he was very excited about it.  I was also excited because I had put a lot of effort into his gift.  For our first anniversary, we really went all out and made it super special.  Since then, we have just gone out to dinner together.  This year, I wanted to do something extra special for Michael.  I gave him a little cash to put towards his car and then I gave him 12 "dates."  I put them in a wooden box (5 year traditional gift is wood).  Each date is sealed and labeled with the month it should be redeemed.  Inside the envelope ther is a description (cute poem) of the date we will venture on sometime during that month.  Some of the dates are simple and held right in our home, while others are a fun get away!  I'm super excited about our year of dates!!  I will try to post as we go on them. 



So...back to Michael's gift to me.  He handed me a card and a box of chocolates.  I opened the card, which was very sweet, and picked up the chocolates to see what the flavors were.  I noticed that the seal was not on them and that there was a little white bag where two pieces of chocolate should have been.  My first thought was, "my pandora bracelet is complete."  I only need one more bead for it and really want to wait to see if we have another child before adding anymore of them.  As I pulled the bag out of the box of chocolates, Michael said, "It's just another bead."  I really did believe him!  I got mad that he told me.  I had the hardest time getting into the bag, but when I did, I was SHOCKED!  He bought me a chocolate diamond ring!!  I've been jokingly asking for one for about 3 years now.  I always put it on my Christmas list, but Santa never brings it (nor did I expect it).  It is very simple and just what I wanted.  I have to get it sized before wearing it.  I'm having issues with sizing right now due to the fact that I have lost so much weight.  I recently had to get a guard put on my engagement ring and wrap.  I do not want to get the chocolate diamond sized to my current ring size because I have full intentions of gaining back the weight I have lost.  So, we will see how the jewelry store handles this!! 

Later that night, my mom came over to watch Dylan.  Michael and I went to Longhorn, our favorite!!  We also went to Target to get a few things for Dylan.  The highlight of our night was riding by the place we got married!  It brought back so many wonderful memories!  We even said if there was a wedding going on, we might just have to stop!  To our surprise it was dark and noone was there!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Car washing

Dylan is so much help!  He loves it when we clean the house as he often times enjoys sweeping or wiping off the table.  Last weekend, Michael decided to wash our cars.  Dylan and I were out playing just before bedtime and Michael wanted to finish up his truck.  Dylan went straight for the hose and the bucket to help.  At first we both kept pulling him away, but when I realized it was nearly bath time anyway, I let him go for it!  Enjoy the pictures.  I do have to say it was so much fun.  We had several people slow down as they passed our   house just to catch a glimpse.  It brought a smile to many faces.








Friday, April 13, 2012

Easter 2012

We had a fabulous Easter weekend. My brother, sister-in-law, and nephews were in town. It's so much fun seeing my parents with their 3 grandsons. Dylan loved following Jacob around. We celebrated Colin's birthday, my Mom's birthday, and Easter with everyone. I just love weekends with family. I really wish we had more of them.

We attempted a family photo, but I could not figure out the timer on my camera.  Michael wore a green and navy tie, Dylan wore a green plaid shirt and navy shorts, and I wore a gray and white dress that had a green bow.




Colin turns 5! 



Egg hunt at Aunt Cindy's

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

17 months

Weight: I think about 22 lbs.

Height: not sure but I can tell he has grown.  He can reach things that he could not reach a few weeks ago.

Head Circumference: not sure.

Motor skills: Dylan is a runner, a climber, and a reacher.  He is so quick.  It's very scary.  One minute he is right behind me and the next I can't find him.  He loves, loves, loves to climb on things.  He is often found on the kitchen table (big no, no) or scooting a chair across the kitchen to climb up to the sink.  He love rearranging the food in the pantry and  tends to place things on the shelf just above his head.   He feeds himself using a fork (and prefers one normal size) and can scribble with a crayon, pencil, or pen.  Because of that he has signed the past few birthday cards we have given.  He stacks blocks, puts together mega blocks (legos), and can throw a ball.  Dylan loves music and will dance to it.  He can open drawers and close doors.  He climbs the stairs on the deck everytime we go outside.  He tries to go down them but must hold a hand (again, quickness doesn't work out well going down stairs.)
Eating: Dylan isn't a big eater.  He isn't picky; he just doesn't eat a lot.  He has days where we can't feed him enough and days where he won't eat a thing.  He prefers not to eat breakfast until about an hour after waking up (he gets this from me).  I'm not a big fan of breakfast, but do love the works about midmorning.  He is still eating pancakes, waffles, some sort of fruit, biscuits, and recently has shown some interest in cereal and oatmeal.  He usually has juice first thing in the morning before breakfast.  He drinks a cup of milk midmorning with a small snack (fruit, cheese, crackers).  For lunch, he has leftovers from the night before, a sandwich, or a frozen meal.  Sometimes his baby sitter fixes him what she had the night before.  This meal is probably the hardest!  If lunch is offered to early he won't eat it.  If we wait "too late" he is too tired.  If he eats a early lunch he has another cup of milk before his nap.  If he eats a late lunch, the milk is saved for after his nap with his snack.  He usually wakes up from his nap ready to eat!  He enjoys fruit, crackers, or dry cereal during this time.  He eats whatever we cook for supper (we try to include something he will eat).  He either eats very well or picks.  It's hit or miss with him and again also depends on what time he had his afternoon snack.  He loves raw tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, and cucumbers.  We have salad very often just so Dylan can have his favorite veggies.  If he sees a tomato he will point until he gets it!  He enjoys spaghetti, rice, most vegetables, bread, shredded cheese, and any kind of casserole.  He does not like meat served by itself.  He spits out chicken unless it's in a casserole. 

Clothes: He is in all 12 months clothes and beginning to wear some 18 months in shirts. He wears a size 5 in shoes and 2T-3T socks. He wears a size 4 diaper. (same as last month).  We have tried a few 18 month pairs of shorts, but they are so big on him.  The problem is the length.  He is so short and they make boys shorts so long.  We have found a few "shorter" pairs at Carter's and Osh Kosh.  The adjustable waist in the Children's Place shorts really work well.  There is just such a huge difference in 12 and 18 months clothing.

Words (communication): He is really becoming quit the talker.  Michael asked tonight, "When is he going to start talking."  I just looked at him kindof funny!  Dylan babbles all the time.  It's hard to understand what he is saying and at times I think he gets frustrated when he wants something and we do not understand (this is where the pointing comes into play).  He can clearly say no, juice, milk, daddy, momma, dog, car, bye, hey, go, side (for outside), and tries to repeat anything we say.  He says, "sheckles" for freckles andeven copied Michael saying "shut up."  That was an eye opener.  It sounded like "suutup."  He can point to a picture of a dog and say "dog."  He can say choo-choo when asked about a train, moo when asked about a cow, and whoo whoo when asked about an owl.  He says, "bicka, bicka" when he attempts to tickle someone (and it feels like a pinch)!
 
Favorite toy: He still loves books. He has become more interested in his lego blocks and blankets. He is beginning to carry a blanket around with him. He sleeps with a blanket and will pick it up in the morning when we go get him out of his crib. It's the cutest thing ever!  We put his wagon and watertable together (both were Christmas gifts) and he loves them both.  He is beginning to show more interest in riding toys.  He loves this Playskool (yes that's spelled correctly) gear toy.  He changes out the gears and presses the button to make them move.  He also loves playing with any real-life items.  I let him take raw spaghetti noodles and stick them through the holes in a strainer.  He loved it and was engaged for nearly an hour!  Recently, we had to put a leash on one of his stuffed animals because of his sudden interest in taking Freckles for a walk.  He experienced finger painting for the first time yesterday and didn't seem to love it. 

Sleeping:  Dylan wakes up around 7:00 a.m during the week and sleeps until about 7:30 on the weekends.  He takes a nap around 12:30 and wakes up around 3:30.  He goes to bed at 8:00 every night.

Memories:  Dylan is so much fun.  This month he has really developed an "I can do it attitude."  He attempts to put on his clothes and shoes and feed himself.  He doesn't want help.  One of the cutest moments is when Dylan fussed at Freckles when he was drinking water from his dogbowl.  Dylan always gets told "no" when he goes near the bowl, as it's his favorite thing to play with.  He usually ends up spilling it all over the floor.  Freckles was minding his own business and walked to his bowl to get some water.  Dylan pointed as he yelled out, "no, no, no!"  It was so funny. 

Monday, April 2, 2012

New blog

I have started a new blog!  I will continue to be here, but you can also keep up with me here:  http://madadamsphotos.blogspot.com