jg183 asked me to stop by. We're doing well. I have a few more weeks of maternity leave then am returning to work part time. 3 kids has been a pretty easy adjustment compared to 2 kids, though we've had someone in the family sick almost continuously since mid-December (colds, stomach viruses, bronchiolitis). DH has been really great. He started working out again in early November and it's been night and day from his previous low energy level/often lazy attitude to now. The timing couldn't have been better for him to step up.
G has been working hard at piano lessons, practicing for a concert in mid-April. She's now in morning preschool, home with me in the afternoons, though soon will be home with our nanny. She's nearly 9 months into the peanut patch trial with a set of food challenges coming up in May at Seattle Children's hospital.
X loves swimming and anything G does. He's moving up to the preschool class at daycare in April. He's really talkative but much harder to understand than G was as a toddler. He's super sweet and cuddly, though always testing limits and getting into things.
M is 3 months old, very smiley, and recently started giggling and grabbing/batting things. She's so far been easy going and adaptable, thank goodness. She spends more time than I'd like in her car seat bringing the big kids places, but doesn't seem to mind. G and X adore her, and G is a huge help this time. I'm fairly zen about the sleep deprivation this time around, though I hope to someday sleep again.
CloudBee, I don't regularly go here but my DD1 has been riding horses since 2.5 and loves it. Her daycare is on a farm and had a lead-line program from 2.5 to 3, then she took private lessons (also lead-line) for about 6 months. For the last year, she's been in semi-private lessons (30 minutes once a week) with one other child. Even while on a lead-line, she's developed her core strength and balance, plus her confidence.
I know very little about riding, so I don't have all the correct terminology, but she's now walking on her own and starting to trot on her own (with the instructor running alongside, but she holds the reins). It's been great for her -- I hope it's a great experience for your DS.
FWIW, we got her a pair of riding pants, a helmet, and boots last year that she uses at her weekly lesson. They keep them at the barn, so I don't have to worry about what she wears to daycare that day, but prior to that I sent her in jeans or leggings.
shevacc hope all is well! I can't remember, do you have a name picked out yet?
(Not pregnant, just coming in here because I don't think the previous tags worked lol)
Thanks for thinking of me (and teamhayes and PatBenatar). I'm due 11/15...I should probably start getting stuff ready soon, but haven't yet. I need to install the car seat base, find and wash the baby clothes, and prep diapers.
She's still nameless, and we haven't even really been able to narrow down our list. Hopefully we have a name before she arrives.
You're so strong and work so hard to be there for everyone. I can't imagine the stress trying to help M. I'm SO glad he's getting a plan in place to get the help he needs to feel like himself. You deserve nothing but the best and I hope things ease up at home. Hug those beautiful kids of yours and know you're loved from around the world.
Sending love your way. You are doing such a great job raising those boys and they will grow up into wonderful men as a testament to your strength, courage, and general amazingness. They feel your love carrying them through and they will grow up knowing and carrying their father in their hearts through you.
Oh M, you're so right. It's not fair and you're doing it anyway bc you have to. We love you and will do anything we can for you. I'm so sorry. This wasn't supposed to be.
I would do 2 trips bc I'm cheap. Also I think a lot of the specialness is the time with you, not so much the actual activity so 2 trips would be twice as special as one.
G started Suzuki piano lessons last month and has been loving them so far. Her teacher starts kids as early as 3. I'm pretty sure Suzuki violin/cello/bass is similar. It's a really big time commitment, though...I sit down with her every night to practice plus she has one group lesson and two short individual lessons each week.
The group lesson involves music activities and movement. The private lessons are very focused on playing and are mostly her sitting still at the piano.
ladybug, that was G exactly from practically the day she turned 2. X has also started having days like that, especially if he thinks he can get down and play instead of eat. Though on the whole he's a much better eater than her. It definitely could be normal.
I was surprised at how happy I was with Costco's calendars last year. I previously ordered from Mpix but didn't want to spend that much. Doing Costco again this year.
G hasn't met a book she didn't like but doesn't seem to have favorites. Right now we're reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe since we're going to see a play version on Sunday.
A is currently obsessed with If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, still loves How Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, and any Richard Scary book. I kinda hate Richard Scary.
Sending love on your first day back to work! I wish we could all take turns flying out there to help. You're doing a great job putting one foot in front of the other. Anger is such an understandable and normal emotion.
Sending love and hugs today and in the coming days. I'm so sorry you're forced to find a new normal. I wish we could give you back your old normal. You're so strong and raising two amazing boys who will continue to bring you so much joy. Lots of love.
Sending love and light from Seattle. You, your boys, and your family have been in my prayers and on my mind all weekend, especially Saturday afternoon.
You're doing exactly what you need to be doing -- focusing on those amazing boys and filling your soul with all the love and support surrounding you. You'll do great tomorrow giving your speech and also hearing from the whole community about all the lives Paul touched. Praying for you and sending lots of love.
I always look forward to reading Jamaicam's replies on the board. She's so thoughtful, well-spoken, intelligent, and kind. She's been a big support to me in the past working through my struggles with work-life balance. She's also a great story-teller. I love hearing about what A and J have been up to -- she describes their antics with the perfect mix of humor and love.
Sending lots of thoughts and prayers for your sister and her baby. Glad things are looking as good as possible and hope everything continues to go as smoothly as possible for her.
Your wonderful boys are a testament to you and P, your love, and your lives together. Sending so much love your way -- like many others I've been thinking of you constantly and praying for strength to help you on this terrible journey.
I've been thinking about you constantly and wishing you could wake up from this bad dream and we could somehow make it all better. It's just so unfair. We love you and will be there with whatever you need in the minutes, hours, days ahead.
I am so so sorry for you and your boys, M. Words just don't seem adequate to express it. I wish I could be there for you in person. I'll be holding you and your boys in my thoughts and prayers. If there's anything we can do, we will.