I am figuring out the balancing act a little better. And Elliot is growing up more, which is the biggest contributing factor. I'm not a CIO momma in the least, nor do I preoccupy myself with trying to get him "sleep trained" through the night. But I must admit I did enjoy 5 (yes, FIVE) straight hours of sleep last night. Woo Hoo.
Poor Elliot has bad allergies like his Mommy. His nose is constantly full, and his eyes are runny and caked (yes, both at the same time). Just like me. He is having a difficult time when he is not sleeping in his Nap Nanny (it is elevated), but after his long sleep period (which ends about 3 or 4am) he doesn't want to go back into it. So we have had some nights sleeping upright together on the sofa. Arg.
I did not post this Monday, but I did TAKE the picture this Monday for "Mommy and Me Monday". It includes Elliot, but you can't see him well. Maybe next week I will get one of just the two of us. Anyway, here is Cooper and Mommy having a good time at the Atlanta History Center:
As life is getting closer and closer (ok, not too close) to normalcy - we take two steps back because we are approaching the Holidays where the only routine is that there is no routine. We have our calendar full of Advent adventures which begin right after Thanskgiving.
Much of getting back to normal is Adventuring and working in some home-based learning activities. We have been adventuring again and those pictures are below. As for the home-based stuff, I have been slowly winding back the TV. Still trying to figure out what to do when Ellot is nursing for extended periods (like an hour) and Cooper won't go much beyond 3 books in a row OR when I need to get E to sleep and can't really interact with C while I'm doing it. Depending on the TV at those times. But, we are winding it back.
I also introduced a weekly calendar for him so he knows better what to expect (I put a picture of the day's event up on the date). We can also learn dayso of the week and months. And we review numbers when we talk about the date. Also learning things like tomorrow and yesterday which are still pretty elusive to C. I think he likes it. Here is a picture of this week's calendar:
We're also doing some workbooks for fun. We are starting a nature Study program next week (it's really low key). And then after the holidays we will start BFIAR. I didn't want to try and do it with all the Christmas stuff, but I can use the next few weeks to get a head start on planning.
Monday we went to the Thxgvg Magic Monday at AHC. I think this was the best time we have ever had there. He shucked corn, grinded it into flour, helped back biscuits, stuffed a scarecrow, learned about setting a table, made some crafts and then we ate lunch there. Elliot was awesome and fell asleep for most of the time. He is still in the infant insert (THANK YOU Claud) which is bulky for me, but so comfy for him.
Tuesday we had our last Pee Wee class. Ms. Jo is super nice and good with the kids, but she is no Ms. Ingrid. We probably will not go back until Ms. Ingrid is teaching again. But he had a good time making a pine cone turkey and then visiting the community garden. It is so strange how we have a garden that he has no interest in, yet he was super into this one and even tried the carrots! He asked to take home some broccoli. LOL.
He and this little girl were total flirts:
Tuesday night Dan and I went on a date! I was able to pump enough to leave with Grammy and Poppy, for E. Dan and I went to dinner and then to a media preview event at ABG. Here is my picture with Lumina (something was fogging up Dan's camera). I did about cry when I was getting ready. I could wear whatever I wanted, since I didn't have to nurse. But nothing fit! I am 20 lbs heavier than I was when I got prego. 20 lbs to lose. Arg. It is so hard to get back to eating healthy!
A random cute picture of E from today. He is officially in 3-6 month clothes now. Growing so fast!
And another cute one of Cooper - love this hat his Daddy got him:
Dad and Linda visited since I last posted:
Last Friday we went to the homeschool park date. I was glad when Brande showed up! Not too much "clicking" happened with me or Cooper and the others. But one mom let C sled down the hill with her kiddos. C loved it so we got hime one and went back Saturday with Dan and J:
I have some video too, but this post is too long already - maybe I can get them up later.
Uncle Allyn comes this weekend, and we are doing the Lake Lanier lights Friday. 12 people for Thxgvg so, at midnight now, I need to work on more planning!
