No wonder...

It's Wednesday, which means I don't see any kids. Which means I can spend my lunch eating, pumping, and NOT gathering all the supplies for my next group.
However, I have been working all day and I feel like I have nothing done, so I got to thinking (while standing at the copy machine making one more pile of word cards) about why that might be...Here's what I came up with:

• I teach 9 groups (30-45 mins each)
• All have 4-16 kids
• Each one is a different level AND subject
• Each one is direct instruction
• They are all intervention, which means they have to be meaningful instruction - not just fluff
• We never get to silent read, color, quietly write, do anything independent
• This 30 mins is intended to bridge gaps, make gains - we have to see results!
• So if you're a teacher, and many of you are, think about writing sub plans that are direct instruction for a full day to 6 different grades. And then do it for EVERY day.
• It's no wonder Wednesdays are still so exhausting.

That's all, I have work to do. 

catching up...

I should blog more...
because I hate people who never write. And then I am one.
But frankly, life is a bit crazy. And when it's not, I want to do NOTHING. Or get caught up on EVERYTHING I should be doing.
Like right now, I should be doing dishes, pumping, grading, working on the ward party, or eating something other than Glaus cake for dinner - but I'm not. Cause Miles is asleep, and Sundays are horrid on naps and I don't want to do anything to wake him up (including finding something healthy in the refrigerator, that could somehow wake him up, I'm sure of it.)
So I'm going to eat my cake and write a bit - and I'll feel like I've accomplished something because I won't be one of those people I hate who never blogs.

So what has been going on?

Lots of this...

And by this... I mean naked wiggles after tubbies, which he thinks is awesome.

Playing toys - Art built him a cool play gym, he loves a little toy time.

Extreme silliness - this kid thinks his Papa is hilarious, and a lot of other random things.

sMiles - he has definitely earned his nickname

More toys, and hanging out on the counter laughing at Mom while she dances, sings and cooks dinner. It's the only time I have to choreograph.

more toys...

And more toys - especially on his tummy, the kid thinks he's big.

Ok, he is big, or getting that way fast! He's in 6 month size clothes, so he has a whole new wardrobe. However, Papa only allows one piece outfits when he's in charge, so I have to wear ALL the cute pants and onesies on the weekend.

Speaking of BIG, he turned 4 months yesterday! That's crazy, where has 4 months gone? 

He's getting so much personality

And charm

And he melts my heart. 

See - Big.

On to other things, other things - yes, life does exist outside of Miles.  I go to school every day. Art is a fantastic stay at home Papa (they have routines, and schedules, and activities). Art is still going to school and loving the learning, and hating the hoop-jumping. I am co-teaching a university class on Classroom Management, it makes me miss a regular classroom. So then I reevaluate my career. I am doing a play - The Phantom Tollbooth Jr. - It's a fantastic story, based on an amazing book - but I'll admit, the music is terrible. And I try to cook, clean, and exercise every now and again.
And there's Miles, so I guess that'll wrap it up here. Time for Milkies - we've definitely been doing a lot of that. 

Our Christmas Season

Christmas is different with kids, but not really when they're 2 months...
It started with Miles' blessing on December 23rd at my parents house.

First time meeting the Reina cousins, they really liked Miles

The Reina family

Trin & Rafa and Drew & Joni (Drew baptized Art's parents in Spain 33 years ago, and is now nearly a family member)

Big day for both of them...

Those Nielson boys are full of personality

The Greats

Four Generations in one photo

December 23rd also marked Miles 2 month birthday...

Here he is at 1 month...

 Now here he is at two months...

Christmas Morning - Miles slept through the present part...

But Lulu and Rudy REALLY liked opening gifts!

Joy...

I was just bending over to put on my shoes and found it so easy. Yes, putting on shoes made my day. So I thought I would make note of the joy in my life.

1. Miles - ok, that's obvious - but I never thought motherhood could be so amazing and wonderful. I truly love every second with him (even at 1 AM). I miss him when he naps (see #2), and I'm excited to see his little eyes peek open at me. Yeah, I'm in love.

2. Naptime - As much as I enjoy my little man I sure do love an hour or two to pee, eat, do dishes, do laundry, clean bathrooms, make cupcakes, put things away, craft, type with two hands, and the list goes on and on. (And then rest when he wakes up!)

3. Nursing - I love nursing! I had hoped from the beginning that it would work for us and I'm so grateful it has. He latched on the first time I held him and we've been able to battle through our difficult moments (why does it take so long for milk to come in??) to have a successful 3 hour feeding schedule (Jamie and Kelli, I can do 3 hours!!!) I'm working on pumping so little man can keep up the milkies when I have to go back to school.

4. A c-section - yes, be surprised, it was not in my birth plan and was fun in no way BUT it did give me one thing (besides the obvious) - two extra weeks off work! Thanks to the zipper I don't have to go back to school until Dec. 18, and will be there for four whole days before Christmas break. After the break, now that will be tough.

5. Shoes - well not just shoes, but general mobility. Going from very pregnant to a giant incision I have been itching to MOVE! I am finally feeling mostly functional, and have the doc's clearance to move, bath, and vacuum (why that was restricted I still don't know). It's so nice to hop in and out of bed at will, and crawl under the bed to get another box of diapers, and just generally sit and stand. Movement is nice.

6. My home - It's our first Christmas here. Last year we were homeless (sort-of) and did not decorate. I'll admit it was fun to get out our stuff and find new places for everything. We got the tree up last night and hung up a third stocking on the mantle, it's just nice to be home for the holidays. (wow, that sounded cheesy)

7. My family - This is the first Christmas I haven't been close to home and it's a little weird. I didn't get to hassle my mother about her hoards of decor, or help her pick out all the Christmas jammies. I won't be at Heidi's on Christmas Eve arguing with Andre (not a smart idea) in a game of Apples to Apples; however, I will get to see the whole lot at Miles' blessing on the 23rd, and we are very happy that Art's parents will finally get to spend the holidays with us!

8. My Love - We are home most of the day together, him in and out to classes, but we are home a lot. He is learning about babies and what he will do when he is home alone. He spends a lot of time talking to Miles. Together they goo and coo and make a lot of noises, and it makes me so happy to hear him giggling at Miles and finding utter joy in this tiny human. He really is a great Papa. 

How could that not fill your every waking second with happiness? (Now, talk about cheesy)

My growing boy...

It's much easier to post pictures to facebook. And since almost everyone who reads my blog is on facebook it's a bit redundant. But there are a few who are not, and I am posting pictures of other peoples children, so I'll do it here...

Thanksgiving! Miles first large social outing - and now he's got a cold. I love germs. At least he's cute, and all his cousins got to ooh and ahh over how cute he is. And the auntie's got to fight for cuddle time. And Grandma got to change poopy diapers and lay him in the middle of the counter. So it was all worth it.

 Olivia...Bompy

 Roxy

 Eliza

 Eli

 Lulu preferred visiting Lulu...she did eventually hold him, when her mom was there to help..

 I don't know what to think of all this activity!

 Talkin' to Grandpa...

 The whole brood at Thanksgiving... 12 adults, 14 children... we're outnumbered.

 My very cute Thanksgiving shirt from Grandma and Grandpa Reina

This stuff is exhausting...

Just a cute photo shoot of my bright eyed boy...

 4 weeks old...this is what he wore home from the hospital, if he would have stretched out his legs you could see how much bigger he is, and much rounder!

Miles has the strongest head, he loves to hold it up and look out the window, or, if I'm lucky - right at the camera!

He was talking to Papa last night, the phone is so close because we were recording his Goo's... They talked for nearly 15 minutes, Miles staring intently the whole time. He looks at you like he completely understands what you're saying...

I have about 50 more, from the last week, but I think I'll refrain...