Sir, Reporting High Levels of Sass!

Life Lately

Yesterday was my first day back working at the Preschool. I absolutely love teaching preschool music - it's really the only reason I'm still working there. My piano business has been flourishing and it's really my main income now. But, I continue to work at the Preschool because (1) I love teaching music, (2) I love teaching preschoolers, and (3) I really love working with all the ladies there. It truly is an amazing Preschool program - and I'm not just saying that. Even if I didn't work there, I would want my kids to go there! Lydia totally loved the program and loves seeing all the teachers.

After not teaching music since the end of April, I forgot how repetitive it can be. There are nine classes (with about 10 kids in each class), and I teach each class for 20 minutes. I do basically the same lesson each time (sometimes changing it up a bit for the younger ones and then again for the older ones). Yesterday, I probably sang the same song about 90 times. Yeah...that gets kind of old. But, the kids had fun and really enjoyed my lesson.

I'm always a little bit nervous/anxious when it comes to the first few weeks of preschool. Some of the kids aren't even three yet (they have to be three by December), or have never been in a school situation before. They don't know what I mean by "sit on a dot" or "keep your hands to yourself" or "please don't run around the classroom". But, overall, this year's group of kids are starting off amazing and I'm looking forward to the rest of the school year!

Lydia has now been dropped off twice at the front of the school and walked into the cafeteria by herself. I suggested that on Wednesdays (when I have to work and Gideon has to go to BSF) I will drop her off at the front, but all the other days I can walk her in. Well, it must have gone so well yesterday that she wanted to do it again today! It's definitely very bittersweet. And I get home a lot faster!

This morning we had a bit of a struggle over shoes. Lydia wanted to try something different - not just her usual pink dressy shoes. She first put on cute pink sandals. Then decided to wear her silver sparkly shoes. While in the car (almost to school), she decided she didn't want those shoes. Oh well. Too bad. I almost thought about dropping her off, getting her pink shoes, and bringing them to the school. But decided against it. She has learned her lesson. (Although I remember having my mom bring me a change of socks once....hmm)

Gideon has not been napping well...but at least he still sleeps most of the night. Last night he slept from about 7:30 to 6:30 (with a little wake up at 5:55). I've been having to put him down for naps in his bouncer (but he will only sleep about 40 minutes) or in the K'tan during piano lessons (once again, for only about 40 minutes). I just now forced him to sleep in his crib. He has to cry in order to go to sleep, which is sad. He won't just let me rock him to sleep or pat him to sleep. He will just roll over, smile, and start talking. It can be frustrating. Which is why I learned to just leave him. When he's ready to finally go to sleep, he will. And he did. Hopefully he will sleep until a little after 2:00 and will be in a good mood (and ready for a nap - in the K'tan) for piano lessons.

I'm Positive That You'll Get Lost in There!

Friday - Life Lately

Life lately has definitely been different these past two weeks! I think we are finally getting into the groove of Kindergarten, piano lessons, preschool, grad school, work, baby, 5-year old, two adults, and a dog. Wow! There's a lot that goes on in this house every day and I'm trying to keep up with it. As mentioned in my last post, I still need to figure out a good cleaning system for us. Part of the reason I need to clean a little bit everyday (versus all at once) is because Gideon doesn't like to be put down for too long. I either have to hold him, entertain him, or run errands with him (he likes running errands). I'm actually looking forward to the crawling/exploring stage when he can entertain himself for a bit.

When I sit back and take a break, I realize how nice it is to have Lydia in school when I have a 3-month old at home. Gideon is a really easy-going baby, but, at the same time, he's demanding of my attention. And I like giving him attention. He's my new constant companion. I miss having Lydia at home as my companion, but I also enjoy just having to worry about one child versus two. Plus, when I'm out and about, I can keep Gideon contained in my wrap or a stroller. He doesn't constantly ask if he can buy something, or go running off and hiding in the clothes while shopping. It's nice.

Next week I start back at the Preschool and I am excited (and nervous)! We had Meet the Teacher this past Wednesday and it was pretty hectic in one room - lots and lots of criers. The start of the school year is always difficult. We get kiddos who have never been in a school environment before. They don't know how to sit on dots, or sit still, or follow directions. But, it's amazing how in just a few weeks they have mastered this preschool thing!

I started piano lessons this week and it has been going pretty well so far. I start at 4:00 in the afternoon. I have Gideon with me in the front room. Tuesday he sat in his bouncer pretty much the whole time (got fussy right when Brian came home). Thursday he slept in his wrap most of the time and then Brian came home when he was getting fussy. Today is the big test. I go to a family's house and teach five of their kids...with Gideon in tow.

I gave my students a sweet snack for their first day back...and a reminder to always, always practice! I have 22 students this semester and it will be busy, but fun! I have a good group of kiddos this year.

We have to do bedtime a little bit differently on Mondays. Brian has his grad school class on Mondays and doesn't get home until around 9:00. The kiddos are in bed by 7:30. We met Brian for dinner at Chick-fil-a and then headed home for baths, a quick show, and then bedtime. I let Lydia stay in Gideon's room until he fell asleep. Then I brought her to her room and put her to bed. Usually, Brian and I put the kids to bed in Gideon's room (I nurse him while I sing) and then he takes Lydia to her room while I finish up with Gideon. But, Mondays will have to be different. 

Except for this Monday! It's Labor Day Weekend which means NO SCHOOL!

This girl and her outfits. We pick out her clothes for the school week on Sunday evening. She recently decided that she likes wearing shorts. I wondered if this would happen. I don't think Lydia has worn a pair of shorts for over a year now. And suddenly she likes them. And it's all because girls in her class wear shorts. In Preschool, most of the girls wore dresses (just like Lydia). She still likes her dresses and skirts, but is now more open to cute little shorts. I got a ton of free hand-me-down shorts last year and they can finally fit her (kind of...I have to tighten them a whole lot)! And she'll wear them! Easy outfits each morning!

In this picture, I let Lydia wear whatever she wanted and then she picked out Gideon's outfit too. Daddy approved of the stripes and plaid....

I Do Not Fit In - I Fit Out

Monday Musings

I do have the meals for this week planned out and a grocery list written. But I'd have to go all the way to the kitchen to get it the list...and I just can't work up the energy...

Today was a big day in the Pfeiffer family. Lydia headed off to Kindergarten this morning! In the pictures she is smiling...but that was before I dropped her off. I smiled most of the morning...but only did that to hide my tears. Today was a rough day for this Pfeiffer mommy. Saying good-bye to my sweet baby girl was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Much harder than I imagined it (and let me tell you, I imagined it several times).

Last night we got the kiddos in bed before 7:30 (go us!) and we were in bed before 10:00 (go us, again!). But that is where the good routine ended. Saturday night I got hives all down my arms and my back and stomach. But then they went away. I was thinking I rubbed against something that didn't agree with me, no big deal. But then I realized that it was stress causing these hives. Sunday night, my hands started itching, and then my arms. After unsuccessfully trying to fall asleep, I got up and checked out my arms. They were covered in hives. As were my hands, my stomach and my back. They were will a little itchy, but not too bad.

Another hour passes without sleep, so I go to check my hives again (I could swear I could feel them forming). Now the hives had spread to my shoulders and down my legs. I was completely covered! That did not add to the horrible feeling I had about tomorrow morning. When I went back to bed, Brian woke up and I just started sobbing. My precious girl was leaving for Kindergarten tomorrow! How was I going to handle that?! I was so stressed, I broke out in full-body hives - yuck! After some much needed cuddles, I finally drifted off to sleep.

But, last night was the night Gideon decided he'd wake up every two hours! Ahh! How can my precious boy go from sleeping from 7:30pm to 4:30am to waking up every two hours?! I fed him at 10:00 (since I wasn't asleep yet), let him grunt and move around at 12:00 (didn't take him long to put himself back to sleep), fed him again at 2:00 and let him put himself to sleep at 4:00. He woke up talking to himself right before my alarm went off at 5:45, so I went potty and then nursed him back to sleep. He then slept until 8:00. I pray that this night goes better. He hardly napped all day, so he should be good and tired!

Anyway....back to my musings about Monday. Lydia was up early and ready and excited for Kindergarten. Brian got her breakfast and chatted with her while I got ready. I fixed her hair and we waited for Dearest, Best Buddy and Thomas to head over. My dad stayed with Gideon while the rest of us headed off to Lydia's school. Thomas' bus stop is right across the street from Lydia's school, so he tagged along. My mom came along, hoping to catch a glimpse of Abram as well.

We headed into the crowded cafeteria to put Lydia in her class's line on the stage. She went willingly and was excited when she saw Abram. Then it started going down hill. It was so crowded and took so long to get all the kiddos organized, that by the time they finally headed off to the classrooms, Lydia had started crying. Maybe I should have just said good bye there, but I just had to see my girl off to her classroom. She cried the whole way to her classroom, with me following, fighting back tears. We made it to her room and I helped her to her desk. She was sobbing by now (and I almost was, too). I quickly gave her hugs and kisses and told her I loved her. Then I turned my back on her and walked out of the room.

Literally one of the most difficult things I have ever done - leaving Lydia in her Kindergarten classroom while she cried. I stood out in the hallway, wiping tears from my eyes. My mom, who was supposed to be my moral support, also teared up. 

The next hardest thing? Listening to your five-year old crying about not wanting to go back to school! When I picked her up she told me she didn't like school and didn't want to go back tomorrow. If only it was that easy! She started crying and crying when I told her she had to go back. She said it was "boring", that all they did was "sit" and she didn't like that. That recess wasn't long enough and that her teacher had a "mean voice". I wanted to cry all over again and tell her that she never had to go back again. That she could just cuddle with me on the couch forever.

But I was a good mom, and I told her she had to go back. It was her job to go to school. And that tomorrow would be better. Thankfully, by the time Leah stopped by and asked Lydia how her day was, Lydia had a better attitude and said it was good. She still told me tonight that she doesn't want to go back, but she wasn't crying about it.

Please, God, let her enjoy her second day of school! How I wish I could be there with her! This almost makes me want to home-school. But, I know this is what works for our family right now. She will get used to going to school five days a week. It's something we've all done. She can do it!

Why Do You Haves This Thing? Is It Useful?

What's Up Wednesday

This morning Brian and I woke up tired! I had a hard time falling asleep last night - lots to think about - and Lydia woke Brian up three times during the night to be tucked in. Plus, Gideon woke up around midnight (he never wakes that early) and again at 4:00. I took him to bed with me at 4 - because he was on his back when I went to get him. Which means he managed to roll over...uhoh. New milestones are always fun, except when they interrupt good sleeping habits! Thankfully he went right to sleep in bed, cuddled up against me. Of course, when Brian got up and started moving around the room, Gideon decided it was a good time to wake up, too. 

Everyone in the Pfeiffer house was up by 6:30 this morning. Lydia came in asking to watch her iPad, Gideon was awake talking to himself in bed, Brian was up and dressed and about to leave for work, and I needed to take a shower and get ready for preschool pictures. Thankfully Gideon was very content in my bed and then in his bouncer while I got ready. He was even good when I got Lydia ready and we were able to leave for the preschool a little after 8:15, which was my goal! Go me!

Lydia loved seeing all the teachers at the preschool and giving hugs to everyone. And she loved showing Baby Gideon off. After pictures (I just get a teacher picture) we headed home. I sent Lydia off to relax in her room (since she had gotten up so early, gone to bed late, and then woken up several times during the night) while I attempted to put Gideon down for a nap. This boy! He is so tired but won't fall asleep when you want him to! I ended up putting him in his crib (after rocking him for about 45 minutes), put a pacifier in his mouth (which he usually doesn't need), and patted his back until he fell asleep (took about 5 minutes). Then he slept and slept and slept!

Lydia and I had an early lunch around 11:00, then I started packing up and getting ready for Six Flags! I ended up having to wake Gideon up for us to leave around noon. We met up with Leah, Adah and Jaron and headed up to the water park. The kiddie area is up a ton of stairs (or ramps for us stroller-pushers) and we were super hot by the time we made it to the top. Lydia loves, loves, loves the water park at Six Flags. She got almost brave enough to go in the playground area and almost went down one of the water slides. But, she didn't quite manage that just yet. My mom joined us with Abram and the three kiddos had a blast playing together. 

Gideon was really good. He liked the water for awhile but then got tired and took a super long nap. Then we played in the water again. When we got back from Six Flags, he was the only one in a super happy mood! I had a headache from the heat (the long walk to the car - pushing a stroller - wore me out) and Lydia was completely worn out. Daddy made a quick dinner of spaghetti and we watched a silly Tarzan movie (not the Disney one).

Lydia and Gideon had a quick shower and then went right to bed. Hopefully both of them will sleep all night long and give us a good nights sleep as well!

Gideon is 3 Months Old!

How did this happen? Where did my teensy tiny baby go? The months are going by way too quickly for me!

At 3 Months:

• you smile at people a lot. Although you are usually pretty serious (you seem to analyze everything), your silly side comes out every once in awhile. I love your precious, gummy smiles! I have even gotten you to laugh - not belly laughs yet, but some giggles.
• you love looking at your hands and feet. You often put your hands together and stare at them. You have started grabbing your feet. And you like to suck and chew on your fingers.
• you are very easy-going. Nothing like your sister. You are a go-with-the-flow type of guy. You are up for anything. You will nap anywhere and love looking around while shopping or walking around.
• you don't like the car seat. You will cry and cry as soon as the car stops. But, once it starts going again, you are perfectly happy. This makes Sonic trips tricky.
• you love being held! As long as someone is holding you, you are perfectly content. Lydia used to only like it when I held her, but you enjoy everyone!
• you can hold your head really steady and look around, even when being worn in the K'Tan. You love to stand and sit. When you lay on the ground (whether your tummy or back) you can move around. You are always in a different spot in your crib than where I put you.
• you love the airplane mobile we have hanging above your bed. I can put you in your crib and you will stare at those airplanes for the longest time.
• you love getting dressed. Good thing, too, because I love dressing you up! You don't like lotion being put on, though!
• you love your big sister! Most babies cry when little kids hold them, but not you! You love it when Lydia holds you and plays with you. Sometimes she can be a little overwhelming, but you usually smile and grab at her.
• you are a great nurser. You love to eat all. the. time. Whenever you get fussy, I just start nursing and you love it. Sometimes you have a big meal, and sometimes you have a little snack.
• you are a great sleeper! Although it can be tough putting you down for a nap, you will sleep most of the night in your crib. Usually you sleep from about 7:30 to 3 or 4 and then until 6:30 or 7:30. A big difference from your sister who was a terrible sleeper (but a great napper...hmm..)!
• we all think you look just like Daddy!

I forgot to take a 3 month picture...but hopefully will remember tomorrow!

Oh! Curse You and Your Tippitoe Tallness!

Tip Tuesday

This week we have started preparing for Lydia starting Kindergarten. I am really not looking forward to getting up at 6:00 every. single. morning....for the next, like, 20 years or so! Eek! This is definitely a new chapter in our lives - one that will continue when Gideon starts school, and then again when any other children we may have start school. Plus there's extra curricular activities before school, after school, on weekends! Wow! And I thought the terrible-twos (and threes, and fours) was difficult!

Here are my Tips for Getting Ready for Kindergarten!

• Talk About It: Last week we started talking and talking about getting ready for Kindergarten. We went school shopping as a family, packed up her backpack and have it in the living room. We talked about how we have to get up early and get ready, get dressed in appropriate school clothes, have our hair fixed and ready to go each morning. Lydia does really, really well when we talk a lot about a major change/big activity beforehand. When she finally got rid of the pacifier at 4-years old, we have talked and talked about throwing them all away the day of her birthday. Well, when that day came around, she handed us her pacifier and said she was four now and didn't need it. The same went with potty-training. We talked about it for several months before we actually started. And she was potty-trained in a week. So, all summer we have been talking about Kindergarten and how it is so much fun, how she will have a nice teacher, she will me new friends, play on the playground, etc. She loves talking about Kindergarten. She has said that she will be shy at first, but then she will have fun.
• Planning Outfits: Sunday afternoon I organized Lydia's closet and her dresser drawers. I got rid of clothes that we out of season, or that she didn't fit in anymore. I organized her dresses (she has a ton), moving dressed off to the side that were for cooler weather and keeping good, school, dresses toward the front. I then brought Lydia into her room and explained how we are going to pick outfits out for the whole week. I fought many a battle with Lydia about clothes during preschool (picking school-appropriate clothes, etc.) and I don't want to fight this battle everyday during Kindergarten. So, we picked out a dress for everyday, Monday thru Friday, plus undies and spandex shorts to go under the dress. She loved deciding what dress to choose. I hung the dresses (with panties and shorts on the hanger, too) off to the side, in order of the day. So far, (and it's only been two days), this has worked super well! She knows exactly what to wear and loves putting her outfit on.
• Planning Hair: I haven't quite done this yet, but plan to during the school week. Lydia is determined to grow her hair out long now. Earlier this year I cut her hair short (a little below the chin) because she kept screaming and crying when I brushed her hair and wouldn't let me do any cute hairstyles anymore. Now she wants to grow her hair out long again. So, our deal is that she has to let me brush her hair and fix it in different styles each morning - or I'm going to cut her hair really short. She doesn't want that to happen. So, yesterday and today I have done new hairstyles and she has really liked them. I am planning on picking out a few hairstyles online that she can choose from and deciding when to have those done each day next week. That way, I already know how I'm going to fix her hair, and she's prepared for the hairstyle (and had a voice in what her hair will look like). Hopefully simple pony-tail days will be few and far between. I have learned how to French braid and am getting better and better with cute hairstyles.
• Bedtime: Lydia is really, really good at convincing us to let her go to bed late. She will ask to watch another show, or be in the middle of a movie, or just take forever getting teeth brushed and pajamas on. So, we have decided that we will start getting ready at 7:00 and hopefully be done by 7:30. This way, if she wakes up between 6:00 and 6:30 she got 11 hours of sleep. I would really like it if she woke up between 6:30 and 7:00 - giving me plenty of time to get ready on my own each morning. I plan on getting up at 6:00 each morning with Brian, just in case the baby needs to nurse, and then Brian can help with the kids while I get ready. To practice this week, I have been getting up when Brian gets up...and letting Lydia get up then, too. I don't wake her up, but when she wakes up I let her stay up. Poor Gideon doesn't get to cuddle with me in bed anymore. This is getting all of us ready for early mornings next week.

Those are my tips on getting ready for Kindergarten to begin. Hopefully everything will go smoothly next week since we've already practiced our "routine"!

You Are Driving Me to the Crazy

Missed Friday's post...oh well. I spent most of the day at my parent's house swimming. Then Brian went to work a Casino Night (his co-teacher's side business), so I stayed and had dinner with my parents.

Saturday we headed out to Guadalupe State Park. We have been there at least once a year since before Lydia was born. The girls loved the water - it wasn't too cold and only had a slight current. It rained Saturday morning (it POURED), but then the weather was perfect the rest of the day. We brought our large canopy to sit under, tons of food and drinks, and stayed for 7 hours! It was super crowded, but the crowds left as it got later and later.

Sunday, our church had no running water (it's building a new sanctuary), so nursery classes were cancelled. Which meant I didn't have to work my last day in the nursery - sweet. My mom, Lydia, Gideon and I tried out the Baptist church around the corner (the same church I have my piano recitals in and know two families). Lydia did really well in her class and Gideon got to go to the nursery. It was a nice service - completely different than Oak Hills. Very welcoming and small.

Yesterday I cleaned out Lydia's drawers and organized her dresses. Then we picked out five outfits for the week (undies and undershorts included). We are practicing for when school starts. I don't want to fight the clothes battle every single morning. I also don't want to fight the hair battle. I forgot to have her pick out a hairstyle last night, so we had a mini fit this morning, but she got over it. I got up when Brian did (around 6:45). Gideon was up by 6:50 and Lydia was up by 7:00. We went on a walk with Leah, Adah and Jaron around 7:45 and then headed off to HEB by 9:30. We were back by 10:30, headed off to The Rim to pick up bows I ordered for Lydia (with her monogram) at 11:30 and then to Chick-fil-A for lunch with Leah. Busy morning.

Now I'm getting frustrated putting Gideon down for a nap. He's super tired, and will fall asleep right when I start nursing him. But as soon as I lay him down, he wakes up! Ahh! Lydia just headed over to my parent's house to swim, saying she's "giving me a break". I left Gideon in his crib to fall asleep on his own...we will see if it works. I will probably break down soon and bounce him in his bouncer.

Meal Planning Monday

1. Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
I promise I will actually make these this week! They are Brian's favorite, so I am going to make them tonight for his back-to-work dinner. They just are a lot of prep - you have to marinate the chicken...and I have to remember to do that!

2. Lasagna 
Another recipe I didn't make last week. I went to make it last night and I realized I had forgotten the ricotta cheese! Oops. Got the ricotta cheese today at HEB, so this will be an easy meal later this week.

3. Grilled Chicken

Brian has some chicken quarters he wants to grill at some point this week. Yummy!

4. 20 Minute Healthy Chicken Burritos

This is a new recipe I'm going to try - it looks yummy! I always love a good burrito. We will have wild rice and chips and salsa with this meal.

5. Cream Broccoli Chicken Shells and Cheese

Another new recipe we will try this week. I always love macaroni and cheese, but it's never Brian's favorite (he has to have meat). So maybe this will work. I will use Velveeta instead of the shredded cheese - I think it works better and tastes better.

Music Monday

A Thousand Years by Christina Perri (performed by The Piano Guys)

I had to put the Piano Guys video of this song, because I saw them in concert and they played this song. And I bought their piano book and I love to play this song (and am impressed with myself that I can actually play it - a little slower than they do, though).

This is another song that I listened to a lot during my struggle to get pregnant. It really spoke to me, especially after I found out I was finally pregnant. I was always, always hopeful that God would give me another baby. I didn't know why He was letting me struggle (and I still don't fully understand the reason). But, this song, and many others, helped me through my struggle.

"How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?

....One step closer"

I eventually stopped being hopeful. Why continue to have hope when my hopes were dashed every single month for 24 months? That's a long time to be hopeful. Plus, I was afraid to have fertility treatment. What if it didn't work? What if we spent all that money and did all those tests and tried everything we could...and it didn't work? But, if we didn't try, we would never know.

"I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you

For a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more."

When I found out I was finally, finally, pregnant...this is how I felt. Like I had waited a thousand years for that positive test. But, I had loved this baby even before I was pregnant. And I will love this baby forever.

"All along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me"

Even when I was afraid to hope and started having doubts, I couldn't help but know that one day I would have another child. God granted my wish and I have my beautiful Baby Gideon.