As soon as we got back from Ft. Myers I instituted the "new routine", which is not very much different from the "old routine" except I am getting up earlier. And no matter how early I get up, I wake up every one else, so we are all getting up earlier. But this is good. Bedtime is easier than ever! I like to say "hungry kids eat, tired kids sleep" - and yes, I am quoting myself, but that is a central tenant of my personal SAHM management philosophy. A second difference is a renewed determination to work harder. Maybe that goes in waves, but it's nice to be riding that wave again.
Another thing that happened since we got back - I cannot find the charger for my camera battery. This is almost a crisis level event. (And I deeply apologize to the grandparents.) I wouldn't remember anything at all of the last 5 11/12 years if I didn't have pictures. What if Natalie starts walking while it's lost? What if Caleb loses his first tooth? What if Annalise...just does something cute! And online there are tons of duplicate batteries (which I did not lose), but I only found 1 charger for it and it cost more than we paid for the camera. So do I tear the house apart looking for it? Buy the charger or just get another camera?
Well Caleb has done something momentous - he learned how to dog paddle - and he taught himself. He also learned how to tie his shoes this summer, so now all we have to do is get the training wheels off the bike and he'll have hit all his goals for the year! If I could have taken his picture today, I would have taken it when he and Annalise hid behind a railing and said "Take our picture! We're in jail!"
Natalie as I mentioned is still not walking, but she seems sturdier on her feet. Today she noticed her bellybutton - and when 1 year olds get fascinated with their bellybutton...well to me that is just the cutest thing ever! She also is making more sounds and has learned some new hand signs. If I could have taken her picture today, I would have taken a picture of her holding the baby doll and patting its back. (So cute!!!)
Annalise is at a stage where one moment I am exasperated and the next wish I could keep her 3 years old forever. But she told me herself, she cannot stay 3, because she will be 4 next year. I don't really do a lot of preschool type work with her. Mostly she just peeks over my or Caleb's shoulder. But she really is not far behind her brother. If I could have taken her picture today I would have taken it when she raided a bag of hand-me-downs and put on a set of pajamas that are 2 sizes too big and snuggled up with Goldie (her stuffed unicorn).
Rob and I are cute too of course, but we usually neglect to take our own picture!
