Monday, July 26, 2010

(Re)discovery

This summer has been one of discovery for me so far. Or rather, I should say re-discovery. Somewhere in between writing a thesis, working on a practicum and starting an internship, plus teaching my most difficult class in 10 years and being a mom to a toddler and a wife, I lost the time, energy, desire, motivation.....to do the things that I enjoy doing.....

This summer I'm slowly finding them again. It started with reading. Reading for pleasure. Not journal articles that I had to analyze and synthesize, not professional books that I had to learn from and apply, not curriculum from other grade levels that I had to understand and create lessons for. Nope, just honest to goodness literature. Some good, some not so good....some old friends I've read time and again, some new books in a series...I forgot the sheer joy in losing yourself in a book.

I've also been working out again. I'll admit, it hasn't had much impact on the baby belly I can't quite seem to lose, but, man, it feels good to do it. Working out is one of those things that you do just for you. To be healthy, to feel good, to burn off that ice cream cone you ate with your daughter....it is a uniquely individual endeavor and kind of like my little gift to me.

This past Christmas I got a bike. I haven't ridden a bike in well over ten years.....it's not a skill you forget though, as the saying goes. Lately I've been taking some bike rides around my neighborhood. The feel of the wind on my face and the peace that comes from riding is turning into one of my all time favorite activities. My next challenge is to ride to the bike trail and go for a much longer bike ride.

Taking collectively these endeavors might not seem like much, but, for me, it feels as if I'm finding myself again. It took awhile after the school year ended for the tension to ebb away but, finally, it has. I am content, peaceful......happy.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Two year stats

Aliza (finally) had her two year doctor's appointment recently. Her pediatrician (whom I think I love more and more each visit) was quite impressed with Aliza's verbal ability and her ability to hop with two feet. (Aliza had fun demonstrating that one, although she did hop to the door and try and open it before the appointment was done.) Here are her stats:

Height: 33 1/4 inches

Weight: 25 lbs 6 oz

Her head circumference again increased--I didn't write down the number but I remember being happy that her head was as big as it was now, and not during delivery.

After her exam, she had to get a few shots, which she didn't like at all. And she told me she didn't like them the entire way home, punctuating each reminder of the pain with a little cry, just so I'd know how bad it really was......

Pictures of all of the fun we've been having together will come soon, promise!

Friday, July 09, 2010

Big changes.....

This summer is bringing some big changes for Aliza....we recently said good bye to her crib: And hello to big girl bed:


Aliza was pretty excited--she brought her snack and climbed right up. Later, we put her blanket and pillow on, and she decided it was a good time to test it out:I added some pillows to the floor when we put her to bed, and it turns out it's a good thing I did. That first night she managed to roll out of bed and off of the pillows. I found her, sound asleep, in the middle of her hard wood floor. After that, we put a bar up:
I bought new bedding for her too...that little pillow on the right there is part of it. But we are holding off on putting it on until after potty training. As part of moving into her big girl bed, Aliza is learning how to make her own bed every morning. When she does, she gets a coin to put into her brand new piggy bank. She's a little too young to get the concept of earning her allowance, but we figured we'd start young. So far it seems to be working, she is eager to make her bed every morning, and loves putting her coins in her piggy bank.

We also bought her a brand new step stool, and gave her her very own drawer in the bathroom filled with her toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair brushes and elastics. She loves this too, and has brushed her teeth multiple times the last few days:
Soon we will try potty training, and hopefully she will be just excited about her new big girl underwear as she is about her big girl bed!

Sunday, July 04, 2010