Future chores...

As I was cleaning behind the toilet I realized the injustice in this life. Why is it that mothers are "expected" to clean the bathrooms when it's the males that make them so stinky?

Roman is officially day time potty trained! We've gone 2 whole days without a single accident. This morning he even woke me up at 6am saying he had to go potty but since he had a diaper and it was too early I ignored him. Sure enough when we woke up for good he had pooed in his diaper- something he hasn't done a while. My smart boy. Anyways back to cleaning.

 Matt is a very clean guy but somehow there's always pee on/around the toilet. Now adding Roman to the mix and my bathrooms smell like urine 24/7! So I've decided that the toilets will be one of Roman and Matt's chores once Roman is a little bigger.

Roman's "chores" so far include:
*cleaning up his toys (which he's great at and loves to do)
*wiping his spot on the table after he eats (again-he loves!)
*helping feed Zeus (he either pours the food I scoop out for him or he holds the bowl. and he MUST be the one to carry it back to it's spot.)
*carries his dishes to the sink (if they have food he dumps it in the trash. thank you CDC for teaching him that one!)
*throwing away his diapers (yay for not needing that except 2x a day now!)

In our new home we will continue recycling soda cans, large plastic items, and paper. I think it'll be Roman's job to help with sorting (yay for educational skills)! I'm also going to teach him to put his dirty clothes in the bin and then he will help with sorting the laundry when it's done (probably just "find all the socks Roman" to start with).

Anyone else have chores for their 2 year old? Any neat system I should set up or avoid? I don't see the point in rewarding him since at this point he just plain enjoys doing it...

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Playmobil Fun Park

The last two weeks have been BO-ring! Roman wakes up any time between 6:30-8am. If he wakes before 8am I hand him the iPad and he plays with it in my bed until 8am. Unfortunately I've started a bad habit and he's been sleeping with me. Matt HATES the government issued double bed so he's on an air mattress and we had moved Roman's crib mattress to our room since we have A/C and his room gets HOT but instead of sleeping on his mattress he's been with me. Only because I go to sleep at the same time...ok ok we'll get back to normal in the new house. In the meantime I'm loving it.

Back to our schedule.

After we wake up we eat breakfast (cereal, bagel, or poptart during the week) then I put on "Chuck the truck" or "Yo gabba gabba" or "Barney". The 1st week we watched Chuck every morning :-/ I catch up on all things computer. Then we eat lunch and take a nap. Then we wake up and he watches a movie (usually "toy story" series) and I make dinner and clean. We eat dinner. We watch "Reba". We go to bed. Whoo. Hoo. Mon-Wed-Fri we go to the gym in the AM. I haven't been taking him to the playground because he refuses to potty when we're there so we end up spending most of the time changing clothes :-/ but yes I know I need to do it anyways *le sigh*.

 So to say yesterday was a welcome change would be an understatement. We took Roman to Playmobil Fun Park which is about an hour and 20 minutes away from us.

We had lunch and then went from exhibit to exhibit. Whenever we had to leave a water exhibit it was an almighty nightmare battle of screaming but once he saw the next fun thing he would calm down. Matt was downright annoyed but I just had to keep repeating that he didn't understand the concept of "there's more fun things to do!" and reminding us that he's not even two yet. I think we forget because he's so smart, he's big, and he's nearly potty trained!

Roman LOVED the water things which was really just wading around. He also loved the dinosaur that really roared and would even roar back at it! He also loved "milking" the cow (water) and taking the "milk" to the horseys. He wanted so badly to do all these "big kid" things, like rope bridges, etc and Matt let him do a few, much to my dismay. Matt even admitted that HE was nervous for Roman!

After seeing every exhibit and letting Roman play with the actual playmobil toys (where he collected every vehichle from tractors to planes) we were ready to go. It was HOT to us, 90F. We are going to DIE in the TX heat of 100+!! We hit up the store on the way out and Roman did NOT understand why he couldn't have the toys on display and why we were handing him boxes with pictures of toys on them LOL. Well we weren't really laughing then (he was belligerent) but finally we quit trying to ask him for his choice and just bought him an airplane from the Playmobil 123 collection. I plan to start purchasing those toys since they REALLY activate his imagination- even at such a young age! In all I think the park was a little too much for Roman's age because most of the active things were climbing ropes that he couldn't do. However if Gadi had been here I think we all would have had more fun. It was a nice experience though and we spent a total of 3 hours in the park.













Matt's dying to go to LegoLand next weekend but I'm going to try and talk him out of it since I think it will be a lot of money and a long drive and Roman will only be able to do a few things and we (Matt and I) won't be able to do the fun rollarcoasters since we'll have Roman. We'll see though...

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Terrible Twos?!

Why do kids misbehave for their own parents? I can't count how many parents have told me their children were horrible for them but I tell them they're angels for me! Now I see it in my own child. His teachers only told me of a couple times when Roman had stubborn moments but never tantrums. Why is this? I've heard the theory of they act that way because they know you'll love them no matter what but seriously?

I wish we could remember what we were like at two. I feel like I can understand my teenage siblings better than the adults because I remember those ages so stinkin clearly. I feel like I could empathize more with Roman if I could remember being two and wanting to exert my independence. *le sigh*

What brought this on? A silly  battle over chicken vs. caprisun. Oh well. He's sleeping and we'll start over once he wakes.

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6 months later (potty traning and new home!)

Wow so much for my new year's resolution to blog more. 6 months later and here I am to update. In just 3 fast/slow weeks Roman and I will be on a plane on our way to TX for good! Matt will follow behind in August. Today was our last day with Elvis has he was adopted by a wonderful, sweet family. He was getting way to aggressive with Roman and our new puppy Zeus. Plus Roman and Zeus would never leave him alone! The poor old guy deserves to relax in his "retirement years."

We just started potty training Roman 3 days ago. Today I broke down and cried because I felt like I was scarring him for life. I have to pin him down to the toilet when I KNOW he has to go and he screams "I don't want to" or "no potty!" and I'm scared he won't potty train til he's a teenager at this rate! However after that mini break down he had several hours of success which lifted my hopes and renewed my strength. The last 2 days we did the naked from the waist down method but today we put him in underwear. I'm hoping if he can feel the wetness it will help out. The last two days he's just peeing all over everything and not caring. Today though (after a crappy morning- literally) he went 3 whole hours without an accident. That includes a 1 hour trip to the legal office! However as soon as I posted the good news to facebook he wet in 3 pairs of underwear back to back. *le sigh* Then he went another hour with no accidents including a walk to Elvis' new home around the corner and back...hmm maybe that's the key. He won't have accidents out of the house! (HA. HA!) So for now the potty training experiments continue. I refuse to give up because I know he is ready. He's just stubborn and doesn't want to stop playing to sit on a boring potty! Tomorrow we'll try letting him stand on a stool and pee on some cereal...

 So why were we at the legal office for an hour? Oh you know, just signing some closing documents for our brand new house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to Casa del Barr! This beautiful 2 story, 4 bedroom, corner lot home is OURS! I never ever thought I would live in a beautiful home like this. I dreamed of it of course. Especially after seeing all my high school friends homes growing up. But me? Psh we were strictly apartment people! Or other people's homes people...but we won't go there. But this baby is ours. We have been saving and saving since Matt's first deployment for a home. And turns out with the VA loan we didn't have to put a penny down which means we will actually have a "cushion" in our savings for those oh-so-unpleasant home owner things like broken water heaters and busted A/Cs! *phew* Hopefully I can get things set up and nice so that way I can get my license as a home care provider! I want to keep 2,3,and 4 year olds and do preschool in my home. Then after school I want to have a few school age kids and do tutoring! I'm praying the Lord will provide this. My dream has been to own my own preschool for a while now and this could be the first steps...of course if things don't work out and money is too strapped I can go back to teaching. But I hope that we can make it at least 3 years until Roman starts kindergarten.





Another cool feature of this house? It's only a few homes down from my Aunt Stacy! Oh AND my "germany family" is ALSO getting stationed in Hood so I'm praying that they find somewhere near us as well. I'm VERY spoiled to having Jen across the street!!!




Hopefully with this whole "stay at home mommy" thing I'll be able to update more often. I just wish I had cool things to post about like my favorite bloggers Kelle Hampton (Enjoying the Small Things) and Jen Jones (iheartorganizing). Even my buddy Jen Parrish (Parrish Platz) posts about cool crafts she does!

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Make Over and Ketchup!

So Decemember was CRAZY in the Barr household! First and foremost- Daddy came home!!! I had known for a while that he would return early Decemember but couldn't say anything for security reasons. Roman had been horribly sick the week of Matt's return running high temperatures, diarhea, rash, etc. I stayed home Thursday-Friday with him much to the school's dismay. I took him to the Dr on Wednesday after having a high temp (103F!!!) for 24hrs but she said it was a virus and it'd run it's course but to bring him back on Friday if the fever persisted. Matt came home on Thursday and poor Roman was so out of it, in a feverish haze, that he wasn't quite aware that- wait, this is my Dad! Matt was bummed that Roman wasn't more excited but he quickly saw how yucky he felt and understood. Friday morning, Matt's first morning home, we were back at the Dr because Roman's temp was STILL up and he had developed a rash over his upper body. Well yes it was a virus but he also had an ear infection AND his tonsils looked "beefy" but since she was already giving him antibiotics for the ear she didn't test for strep. After 24hrs on the antibiotics my poor baby finally started perking up.

Once Roman was feeling better he wasn't quite sure of Matt. That first night home, even though he was sick, he was bringing Matt toy after toy as if he was showing his Dad all that he had missed while he was gone. He also let Matt give him a bath and put him to bed. But a few days later he went on a Mommy Only thing and he's still sort of there.

Roman will play with Dada happily, especially legos and cars which Dada seems to do better than Mama. But when Roman wants to read a book or chill out in a lap it's always got to be me. Matt will try over and over to call Roman to him but that only makes Roman cry harder for Mama. I'm still working on that...

When school let out for Christmas Break the Barr family headed to London with our friends the Lucas Family: Christa, Ryan, Madi (4), and Abbi (2). London ROCKS. Our favorite place we've been to. No it's not as beautiful as Rome or romantic as Paris but it is fun! And it's in ENGLISH!! It sort of felt like being "home" and the people are SO stinking nice. Like old men, ladies, and teenage boys all helping a woman with a stroller up and down many "tube" stairs!! Once again I was in love with the public transportation. I wish Texas had more subways and busses!

Highlights from London:

Buckingham Palace (although the Changing of the Guards was cancelled)
London Eye at twilight/night!
Tower of London (crown jewels were my favorite. Also seeing Tower Green)
Westminster Abbey (so beautiful and pretty. Plus I saw some of my favorite historical people's graves: "Bloody" Mary, Elizabeth I, etc. I was disappointed to learn that Henry VIII and Katharine of Aragon are elsewhere.)
Sherlock's Pub for some steak pie and fish-n-chips
Apollo Victoria Theater where I saw WICKED!!!
London Zoo (monkey exhibit is AWESOME- they try and jump on you!!)
Picadilly Circus/Oxford St for some window shopping and a short but psychotically busy visit to Hamleys, England's largest toy store.

We tried to hit up the British Museum but only a few minutes in there we learned it wasn't kid friendly. I had also scheduled us to see the National History and Science museum, Pollock's Toy Museum, British Library but we did not have enough time/ stamina with 3 kids under 4! Roman behaved VERY well I must say, especially considering he didn't sleep well ever. This is always a battle on vacations.

In Decemember Roman learned some new things. He mastered "no" and "uh uh" with a head shake. He can open doors that have handles (not knobs). He grew at least an inch! He knows most animal sounds and associates the names with him (though he doesn't say the names yet). We broke the paci once and for all after Christmas. This was hard because he had it 24/7 in London as "security". I snipped the tip off the paci hoping he'd just not want it and be fine. Nope. He was P.O.ed! He's chuck it and keep crying for HIS "ni-ni" but we held strong. A few nights of endless crying for 45 minutes and he's done with it. Now he'll still ask for it but I just tell him "No, you're a big boy." and that's that. However bedtime isn't as easy anymore. He wants Mama to rock him. Sometimes that doesn't even make him tired so he'll have to fuss for 5-10 minutes until falling asleep.

For Christmas Roman received lots of legos, cars, and even a four wheeler. I love watching him build legos over and over, drive cars around while saying "vrrrooooom" and lining all of his cars up, and he can even ride his power wheel's by himself (it has a button on the handlebars instead of a foot peddule). His face is ecstatic when he's riding on it.

We have also bought a new male Siberian Husky puppy named Zeus. He is still with his litter as he's only a month old but we got to go over and pick him out when he was 3 weeks old. Roman LOVED all those dogs. 6 puppies and 3 adults! He's so rough on poor old Elvis (banging toys on him and laughing evily) so we're hoping a young, energetic puppy that will soon outgrow him will give him a new friend to play with and grow up with.

No snow in Germany except once while we were in London and once right after Christmas. Both times the snow covered the ground but melted by night time. I'm torn between loving not freezing to death, slipping on ice, and having dry shoes but part of me loved snow- at least looking at it! Christmas didn't feel right without it. It also didn't feel right because I was vomitting on Christmas Eve and we'd just returned from London so we didn't do our "traditional" things. Oh twell.

So that was Decemember for the Barr's! Matt's still on block leave and I'm back at work and Roman is back at school. Check back for another update soon. By the way, how do you like the new blog layout? I'm still looking for something personalized but figured it was time to take down the stork since Roman was born 17 months ago!!!

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The "no"s have begun

While trying to get Roman dressed this morning he was doing his squirming and screaming and trying to flip over. It's always fun when he's in "that mood." Well when I told him to stop and put his legs in his pants he looked at me and in his twinkly baby voice very clearly said "No." Then just in case I didn't understand him (because I said "What did you say?!") he shook his head and said "Nu-uh."
Got it that time Mom?
Sheesh! Of course I bust out laughing. He glared at me. I got the pants on and turned to put him in my lap and he actually kicked at me while making the bratty "ugh!" sound that I *insert sarcasm font* absolutely LOVE hearing from kids. Yikes. I had to call Matt and let him know. He said he'd have laughed too. But now I have to get serious and nip this in the bud!

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Sickness

When they tell you a child will be sick for the first year they're in daycare- they aren't exaggerating. And don't you just love snooty comments from stay at home moms like "that's why my child isn't in daycare." No it's not. It's because you don't have a job. And one day your child will go to school where they will be constantly sick for the first year and miss out on valuable education time whereas my child will not only be advanced from being in "school" his whole life but he will also have a strong immune system. So there! Bah. People should keep their comments to themselves unless asked for them.

Roman has had this awful cough the last few nights. Saturday it started as a throat tickle cough. Sunday at nap time it progressed to rough cough. Sunday night he was coughing so hard he was gagging and turning colors and screaming in between which didn't help with the whole breathing thing. I tried 2 different german cough syrups (all natural) and a german balm safe for kids and then said screw it and used Vicks even though it's not recommended for kids under 2. I also gave him a dose of tylenol because there's no WAY his throat didn't hurt after all that hacking. He still coughed for about an hour after all this but finally we got some sleep. But not good sleep. I woke him up the next AM and he was NOT happy with me and tried to roll over and go back to sleep as I changed him. He's never done that! He had a very cranky day at school and home.

That night (which was last night) he did much better since we started right off with the cough syrup and vicks. Oh and he has a humidifier and his bed is propped up! Coughing didn't start until 5am. I gave him so meds and more vicks but he still coughed until I woke him up at 6:30. And me? Yeah I never got back to sleep. Blegh!

Even with the lack of sleep my kids at school have been awesome. Mostly. They're anxious, like we all are, but still sweet. I received an apology letter from a girl who had a rough day yesterday, a picture from another girl, and a note from a boy saying I was the best teacher in the world and he liked me. :-) Kids rock.

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Smartest Kid Award goes to...

Roman is 15months and 3 weeks old and he can now sort the colored shapes into his sorting ball!!! He received this white ball with the cut out shapes and plastic shapes to fit in them for his birthday. The ball is "self checking" because the color of the plastic shape matches the color outline of the shape cut out in the ball. Does that make sense?! Anyways it just shows that Roman can recognize colors and similarities in things which (not bragging or anything) is an 18 month milestone! ;-) My kid's awesome. I know this. He also can say nose and point to it (or mine) and now he grabs his belly when you ask him. Gah he's just so darn cute!

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Sadness

I love that I have the first 6 months or so of Roman's life documented so well and then nada.Well one quickie 8mo post. Seriously?! I realize how much I LOVE reading my older posts so I WILL get better. I love to write so why don't I more often?? Maybe it's because lately (well since I was pregnant actually) I have struggled with severe fatigue. My dad claims I'm just lazy but nope not the case. I YEARN to do things and cry because I'm just too stinking tired too. Then when bruising and joint pains became an issue I had some bloodwork done and basically I'm not anemic nor do I have luekemia (THANK GOD!) but I may be in the early stages of arthritis or lupus. They will repeat the tests in 3 months to know more. In the mean time I'm just supposed to caffinate up? Jen asked if working out gives me more energy and maybe it would if I stuck with it but after a week I am then physically exhausted and not just mentally.

I can finally say with confidence that my mental health is back to normal. Thanks to counseling and medication this Mama is no longer struggling with depression! I will be on medicine the rest of my life since depression is a recurring thing with me but I don't care. I get mad at myself when I think about the first few months of Roman's life and how I wasted time being miserable when I should have just gotten help.

Roman, oh Roman. He is not 15.5 months old and already hitting terrible twos! Maybe that means he'll grow out of it faster-ha! He's about 26lbs (probably more now) and I don't know how tall. He is very smart and pretty vocal- even if I'm the only one that truly understands that "shish" means "fish." He LOVES books which makes this Mama EXCSTATIC!!! He has even memorized his favorite book ("oos" by David Shannon) and can "read" it to himself in his crib. How crazy is that?! Some other words he can say (I just "tested" him last night with his flashcards!):
mama
dada
dog
woof woof
milk (nik)
fish (shish)
apple
banana (nana)
tractor
car
vroom vroom
choo choo
*snorts* for pig
shoes
bye bye
MUAH and blows a kiss
ball
mooo for cow
teef (teef teef! when he wants to brush them)
night night (ni ni- this also means pacifier)
more (mo)
please (pees)
thank you (tank chu)
uh oh
*puts hands on head* for oh no
*holds hands out palms up* for what happened?
no no
eat
nose
baby (buhbuh)
up
down
oo-oo-aa-aa (monkey sound!)

I think that's it... We are so proud of him!

Matt is still in Afghanistan but we can say he'll be home before presents! His deployment was shortened PTL! He's had a rough time with this deployment. I hope we transition back to normal fairly easy.

We're headed to London for a few days over Christmas break!! We're traveling with Matt's friend/bunk mate and his family who I've never met but feel like I know thanks to Facebook!

School has been 100% better this year. It still has it's kinks but a) having a curriculum makes ALL the difference and b) I know (mostly) what works! Currently I'm on day 2 of parent conferences. They've all gone very well! I have one more left...Here we go!

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Happy 8mo Roman!!

Roman "crawled" (more like belly flopped/scooted) for the first time today- on his 8month birthday! Just after getting off the phone with Daddy (who's in Afghanistan) and telling him "Nope no crawlin yet!" Lil booger.

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Had to share

I know I haven't finished updating but still had to share these (especially for my wonderful "Sister" who is expecting)! :-)

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

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Berlin Trip

Well to say that this was not the best vacation would be an understatement. We decided to do 2 nights and 3 days in Berlin over Matt's block leave then go to Ramstein for another 2 days. We wanted to do so many things! Walk along the wall, visit Checkpoint Charlie, the parliament building, the zoo and aquarium, etc etc etc. Well we did two of those things. Why? Because the entire trip Roman was sick. Sick with what we don't know but he just felt crappy. As in screaming every hour of the night then crying any moment you weren't moving with him during the day. Not eating any baby food (but still drinking thank goodness). He would vomit when you tried to feed him. We were so exhausted from our horrible nights that we ended up taking naps all morning long and not leaving our hotel til early afternoon! The first day we did make it to Hard Rock for dinner and the Berlin Zoo and Aquarium. Both are fabulous but not so much in the dead of winter. But it was cool how close you got to the animals! Roman snoozed in his stroller through most of it (until we had to eat lunch and then of course he screamed because we weren't moving). That night we were tired so we ordered in room service and just laid in bed!

The next day we slept all morning again and then went to Checkpoint Charlie. Not as exciting as I was expecting but that's how a lot of things in Europe have been. We did get pictures and went to the museum but learned that museums and sick babies don't mix. So much for learning some history! It's ok Roman...we still love you!
That evening we walked up the main street outside our hotel and into this HUGE 7 story department store KaDeWe which had every famous designer imaginable aka nothing we could ever in our lives afford! But still fun to wonder around. And drool at. Then back to our hotel early again.

We were so tired of not sleeping that we decided to skip Ramstein and get home. At least at home Roman is in his own room and we can shut the door and get some sleep! So that's what we did. Only the very minute we got home the stinkin booger perked right up! Slept through the night and woke up ready for his baby food. Kids...

(Pix to come!)

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March already??

I can't believe it. The month I have been dreading has arrived. But none of that right now. I have SO much to catch up on! Here's the list of things to come...

Our Berlin Trip
Roman

• his horrible sicknesses
• crawling (or lack of)
• Matt and Roman's amazing bond
• Saying Mama!
• Finger foods

Matt and I

• D-Day...
• My new job (and the love/hate that comes with it)
• our illnesses

Guess we'll start from the farthest thing back...

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Bible Study

So I've never done my own personal Bible time. I haven't ever really "learned" how. Does anyone learn how? I would love to know. I've had to resort to just opening up the Bible to random pages and reading whatever my eyes fall on. So far it's been PERFECT for my frame of mind. Coincidence? Maybe...but I don't think so. Two that I'm loving right now:

Job 15
If you were truly wise, would you sound so much like a windbag, belching hot air?

Later on it says "Do you think you're the first person to have to deal with these things?"

(I read the Message Bible if you're wondering about my translation). These things are so me. My flaws. Things I'm having to deal with and try and fix.

Another I liked and it was also perfect for a friend who happened to be visiting me that day:

Job 22 21-25
Give in to God, come to terms with him and everything will turn out just fine...

How do you study the Word?

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We're halfway there..

Matt and I can't believe we (almost) have a 6 month old! We're halfway to having a ONE year old!!! That is just mind boggling. Roman is sitting up but still working on balance (he lasts for a minute before toppling over). He wants to crawl SO bad and is working those legs in the right motion, now if we could just get the arms going too! He is standing though! Matt loves to test him in different ways. We've stood him up holding the couch, his floor mat, and Matt has even tried the bath tub rail (grrrr). He stands great! Again he lasts about a minute and grins away then his little legs get tired and crumple. Roman has been getting random fevers and throwing up randomly as well. The fevers may be teething? The vomit possibly overeating? Man I wish they could tell you what's wrong! I'm not a person who likes to guess.

We had a family photo session this past weekend. We were blessed with sunshine (a rarity) however is was still bitterly cold. Roman did NOT like being out in the cold. After crying through the whole session (there should be some pretty funny photos of it) we had to call it quits when his little hands felt like popsicles. He stuck them in my mouth and after realizing they were toasty in there he fell asleep that way. Made me think of my brother J who always did that (but just because. Not because they were cold).

As for me, I'm doing much better. I've had very stable weeks emotionally. However March (D-day) is approaching quickly so I can't say how long the emotions will STAY stable. Matt has block leave next week and the week after. I took off the first week to be with him. We originally were going to England but I've been WAY too stressed to plan and think about such an important trip. Instead we will do Berlin for a night or two, Ramstein (he wants Chili's), and if time permits a night or two in Garmisch.

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I've slacked again!

I've slacked on both blogs the last couple of weeks. However this time I really DO have a good excuse! Last week I was battling a sick baby (diarhea, vomit, fever, congestion, cough) and Matt and I had to take shifts with work. Monday and Wednesday I went to work in the AM while Matt stayed home then we switched. Tuesday I did a full day because I had some personal appointments as well. By Thursday Roman didn't have fever or vomit but still the rest of the symptoms but unfortunately those other symptoms aren't reason enough to stay home. I HATED thinking my baby didn't feel 100% and didn't have his Mommy. Something I will NEVER get used to- no matter what you say.

Lately I have been struggling with a bit of post partum. I've talked to many wonderful people who have helped me and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I know this is completely normal but part of me wonders if I would have the same severity if I were at home with family help. I thought going back to work would help but that seemed to overwhelm and thereby depress me even more. I have been feeling 90% better this week which is AWESOME. I haven't cried in a week which is amazing since I cried every day from the time Roman was born until last Tuesday. I am not ashamed of this but I am not publicizing it for the whole world. I will talk to people who ask about it. I have shared it with my closest friends. I still haven't talked to my whole family yet but it will come.

Part of the reason I am doing better is because school isn't as overwhelming. I've found a schedule that works for me and thereby a lesson plan format (Thanks Amanda!) that works so I just have to "plug in" the week's activities. I still wish I could plan farther than one week at a time...I guess that will come? I have also had my aide back which makes things immensely better! She is such a huge help and blessing. It sounds so cliche but when things were at the lowest I just prayed to God for ideas and no kidding the next day during school ideas kept popping into my head- and they worked! God is awesome like that...

There's more to update but my lunch break is over. Ta- ta!

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Things that currently make me happy

*Chocolate covered coffee beans (Thank you Nana!!)
* mini salads from the commissary (in the cooler where the sandwiches and drinks are). So yummy and only $1!
*Roman's smile (always)
*When my husband apologizes!! :-)
*Reba dvds

What makes you happy right now?

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Roman is 5 months!

Dear Booger,

You are now five months old. I can't believe it! Who are you now? Well you have zero patience and tend to scream when you lose it (you get that from Daddy). You also get VERY cranky when you're hungry (you get that from me). You have discovered your voice and you can be LOUD! There's lots of new sounds coming out of you and they're so stinkin adorable!! But mostly you smile. Your smile is like every cliche song out there.

When I see you smile
I can face the world, oh oh,
you know I can do anything
When I see you smile
I see a ray of light, oh oh,
I see it shining right through the rain
When I see you smile
Oh yeah, baby when I see you smile at me

And it's not just Mommy and Daddy who feel that way. You light up the lives of everyone who sees your smile. And your laugh? Wow it really IS the most precious sound in the world.

At your well baby check up you weighed 16.5lbs (80%) and you are 26.73inches (91%). You are a healthy baby! You are starting to teeth so you drool ALL the time (like soaking through clothes kind of drool). We have to keep a bib on you always now. Some nights it has bothered you but some tylenol and teething tablets have worked so far. We've also now bought Ora-gel but haven't tried it yet. You are also eating baby food now. As of your five month birthday you have had (on top of rice): green beans, peas, carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes. You love it all except the peas which you only tolerate. This weekend we start fruits. :-)

The biggies this month were of course Christmas (which was amazing) and your first fever. The weekend before Christmas you started running a fever but after a couple doses of tylenol and lots of rest it went away. However that night while Daddy was bathing you and washing your ears you began to scream like we've never heard before (and boy- we've heard LOTS of screaming from you!) I finally got you to sleep but you were back up by midnight in pain so we took you to the hospital just to be safe. We thought you might have an ear infection but after a few hours waiting in the german hospital we were told you just had a lot of congestion which was probably making your ears tender. So good news was no infection, bad news meant no way to fix it! The next day you slowly perked up as the day went on and by the day after you were back to yourself.

Today you went to visit your new daycare classroom (or school as I call it with you). You met your teacher, Mrs. Martina, and a few of your classmates: Calista, Shambre (?), and Kevian. You didn't mind staring at them and smiling and they gave you some pats on the head but you didn't like it when you saw another baby in the excersaucer- you wanted in there! You were also not so sure of Mrs. Martina holding you when two of the babies started crying. Overall though you were super excited and trying to move as best you could. Daddy and I think you will be crawling in no time- especially watching all those other kids. You start daycare next Monday. I'm so nervous for you but I know you'll be just fine.

I just want you to know how much Mommy and Daddy love you. You are the best thing that has happened to us. We both smile when we look at old pictures and videos of you but we're not sad to see you grow. We are so excited to watch you change. We love you son.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Roman at 5 Days old:


Roman at 5 Weeks old:


Roman at 5 Months old:


Other highlights from this past month:

First sickness:


Daddy snuggles:


Christmas break:


Shirt from Yaya:

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I FINALLY read a book!

At least I finally read a book that had nothing to do with parenting or teaching! I borrowed a book from a friend and spent a couple of car rides reading it one day (I miss that). I also spent 2.5 glorious hours finishing the book in bed after the baby went to bed. MAN I miss that! I haven't read for pleasure in....how old is the baby?...oh yeah FIVE MONTHS!!

I read "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" by Stephenie Meyer. If you read Eclipse then you already know the ending to Bree but still the book is great! I found myself engrossed and praying that she wrote a different ending.


Another great book by Stephenie Meyer is "The Host." I wasn't so sure about this book and almost gave up after the first 3-5 (can't remember now) chapters but a friend encouraged me to hang in there and it was great!!


I need to read more often....maybe this summer after school is out LOL.

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Roman's first Christmas

There won't be another "First Christmas" for Roman. This was it. It was good. Great.

The day before Christmas I helped Gadi make his first gingerbread house...or attempted to anyways. Thank God he's two and doesn't care!




He didn't want to claim it!



My side...


Gadi's side (note to self: don't use marshmellow fluff!)


Christmas Eve was spent in the kitchen for Mommy but somehow that just felt right. I made homemade cinnamon rolls, two homemade pumpkin pies, 4 batches of homemade cookies (are you catching the homemade part? This girl cooked FROM SCRATCH!) plus chex mix and mudbuddies! Part of the time Roman "cooked" with me. He sits in his bouncy seat on the kitchen floor and babbles to me and chews on his links and watches the bubbles in the aquarium. I just talk to him about what I'm doing and respond to his babble as if he were really answering me back. Someone driving by wouldn't see Roman so it'd look like I was the crazy lady (in a Santa apron) talking to herself. That's cool. He's the best helper in the kitchen.









After Roman went down for his morning nap I took a brief break to watch part of "The Christmas Story" (oh Ralphie...I miss you on TNT!) with my hubby. Before it could end though our dear friends (or my "Germany Family" as I call them) called and Gadiel had sliced open his finger down to the bone. They needed to go to the ER so they dropped off my favorite two year old, Gadi! He helped make the chexmix and mudbuddies by pouring in each cup of cereal and all the other ingredients I measured out for him. He added his own flavorings by sampling items and putting them back in the bowl. Oh and flying his helicopter and driving his Thomas Tank in the cereal. He helped stir it all up and did so well at following directions (like "clean that up please" or "no give Keekee the spoon back"). After cooking I laid him down for a nap then laid mine down for a nap and made the cookies. Gadiel returned with two stiches but he was still smiling. I wish I had pictures of Gadi and I cooking. Oh well. Next time!

The afternoon was filled with more baking and getting ready for church. Then I made homemade (!!!) tortellini alfredo, bread, and asparagus for our family dinner. My hubby went all out with our crystal candle holders and glasses. He dug out the folding table (our downstairs is too small to hold our dining room table AND our desk so desk won) and table cloth. We turned off the light and ate by the light from the candles, the garland and tree lights, and our amazing fireplace DVD (you MUST have one if you don't have a fireplace!!) I even had Roman in his high chair playing next to us and smushed up some aspargus to feed him.







After our beautiful (and yummy if I do say so myself) dinner we ventured out in the "blizzard" for church. It was beautiful. Since I started reading my favorite blog this summer, while pregnant with Roman, I have been dreaming of taking pictures at the candlelight service (www.kellehampton.com) and I finally got to do it! Most turned out blurry since I don't know how to take a good picture without the flash (help!) but I got a few keepers. Behold my amazing boys.









After returning home and reading Roman "The Night Before Christmas" Matt and I got to play Santa for the first time. We put together Roman's house and rearranged gifts under the tree to make them more appealing to the eye. We watched half of "It's a Wonderful Life" and argued over who was going to bed last (and thereby seeing what they got in their stocking). Matt won.





Christmas morning we both took Roman downstairs and gave him his bottle and joked about not peeking. We finished It's a Wonderful Life then got to unwrapping! Roman was very entertained by the santa head on the top of his Reeces tube. Oh and the bows. We thought we were filming it all to only discover that 12minutes into it our memory card was filled and it shut off. Ho hum. It was still awesome and I know it will get better with the years!







Our Germany family came over for breakfasts and the kids exchanged gifts. Then we took a "nap" break and the adults shoveled their own driveways (fun...not. nothing romantic about a white christmas Bing you liar). Then we went to their house for lunch and met up with more friends for the adult present exchange. After playing around we came back over to our house for Christmas dinner. I'm telling you I was SO exhausted! And Roman was totally overstimulated and just done. He refused to take his long naps so by 7pm he was out. I, however exhausted I was, still stayed up to midnight messing around with my new toy (oh yeah, Mama got an iPad!)





Now I'm up to midnight for the third night in a row and my body is screaming at me and I can hear my husband snoring from downstairs. I may not recover. So I will leave you with some pictures of my beautiful snow baby. Good night!

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