All These Facts and Opinions Look the Same. I Can't Tell Them Apart.

Tip Tuesday

Meal Planning during a busy schedule: I haven't been on here to do Meal Planning Mondays lately (writing a blog post every day is pretty hard!).  So, I will include meal planning in my Tip Tuesday.

Three days a week I teach piano until 6:00 (or 6:30 on Thursdays). So those three days I need to have a simple meal ready by the time I am finished. Sometimes this simple meal can be spaghetti - Brian and Lydia's favorite meal and a meal Brian can make all on his own. However, Brian struggles with the cooking-while-caring-for-a-baby thing. And I don't like hearing Gideon cry while I am teaching lessons. So....crockpot meals it is! This will be my third week having a different crockpot meal for three days out of the week. And most of them are pretty yummy. And super simple.

Sometimes there might be a dinner where Brian has to get the meal ready - like shredding the cooked chicken in the crockpot, or making rice in the rice cooker, or making some pasta. But really the meal is ready once I'm done with lessons without much effort from Brian. Which is a plus. I don't like expecting him to cook dinner right when he gets home, plus expecting him to watch both of the kids. On nights when I don't have piano lessons, he comes home and watches the kids so that I can make dinner. We have a pretty good routine going here.

Anyway....crockpot meals are a lifesaver for this family. I usually put the meal together between 2:30 and 3:00 and let it cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. The house smells yummy and dinner is ready when everyone is hungry. Unfortunately, some of these meals aren't as "kid friendly" as I would like them to be. So Lydia will end up eating mac and cheese or a lunchable (which she's always happy about). After teaching lessons I don't feel like fighting to get Lydia to eat something new. That's saved for days when I don't teach. Plus, I want her to eat quickly so that we can start our evening routine and head off to bed.

I have been getting my recent crockpot meals from Mix and Match Mama's Foodie Blog (http://www.mixandmatchmama.blogspot.com/). I have been following this blogger for awhile now (I actually watched the Bachelor when her brother was on) and she's so funny and interesting! I love her meals. They're healthy but super yummy. She has some great crockpot meals to choose from.

Our three crockpot meals this week are:

Mexican Beef over Cornbread (except not cornbread because Brian doesn't like it...over cheesy biscuits)

Slow Cooker Chicken (with pasta)

Chipotle Corn Chicken (over rice)

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....

Crying Helps me Slow Down and Obsess Over the Weight of Life's Problems

Tip Tuesday

Once again, I don't have any tips today....I need tips! How to manage to keep this house clean throughout the week! Last week, the house stayed pretty clean. I made dinner almost every night, so the kitchen was constantly cleaned. I deep cleaned the house Sunday afternoon and it stayed pretty well picked up throughout the week - thanks to Brian and Lydia being gone during the day. Then the weekend came along and the house was a mess, again.

Sunday I cleaned the whole house, again, and it's already a mess - it got to be a mess before it was even cleaned 24 hours! I really need to make myself a weekly cleaning schedule and try to stick to it. I've done this before and I last about a week or two before I give up. 

It's important that the front of the house stays clean during piano lesson days. The front room, or the piano lesson room/dining room, is usually always picked up. We don't usually go in there during the day, except to eat dinner. It's the living room and kitchen that tend to get messy. Especially Lydia's craft/drawing table area. Lydia's room is always a disaster by the end of the week. Our room tends to get a little messy, too. Thankfully I can close all the bedroom doors during piano lessons - that's always a good way to hide a mess! But, Lydia's bathroom must be cleaned in case anyone needs to go potty. I also like the living room straightened and the kitchen cleaned in case they walk through those rooms, as well.

I love how my house feels when it's all super nice and cleaned. But I hate cleaning it!

I really need to figure out a cleaning schedule that works for me. Here's what my weekly schedule looks like:

Mondays: 

6:00-7:15 - get up, dressed, get kids up and dressed and ready for school

7:15-7:35 - get Lydia to school

7:35-8:30 - HEB trip, put groceries away

8:30-2:30 - Gideon should have at least 2 naps in this time frame, get chores done, run errands, straighten up the house, relax

2:30-3:00 - pick Lydia up from school

3:00-4:15 - hang out with Lydia and Gideon

4:15-5:30 - meet Brian somewhere for dinner before he goes to Grad school

5:30-7:30 - get kids home, bathed, watch a show, put to bed

Tuesdays:

6:00-7:15 - get up, dressed, get kids up and dressed and ready for school

7:15-7:35 - get Lydia to school

7:35-8:30 - go on a walk with Leah (until she starts Tuesday mornings...maybe just walk by myself)

8:30-12:30 - Gideon should take at least 2 naps, get chores done, run errands

12:30-1:30 - piano lessons for two homeschooled children

1:30-3:00 - Gideon maybe naps, go pick Lydia up from school

3:00-4:00 - make sure dinner is ready to either put in the oven or in the crockpot, hang out with Lydia

4:00-6:00 - piano lessons, Brian comes home at 5:00

6:00-7:30 - eat dinner, bathe kids, bedtime

Wednesdays:

6:00-7:15 - get up, dressed, get kids up and dressed and ready for school

7:15-7:35 - get Lydia to school, and Gideon to my mom's for BSF

7:35-12:45 - head to the preschool and teach Music

12:45-3:00 - get Gideon, hang out, pick up Lydia from school

3:00-7:30 - hang out with Lydia, get dinner ready, Brian is home at 6:00, eat dinner, get kids bathed and in bed

Thursdays:

6:00-7:15 - get up, dressed, get kids up and dressed and ready for school

7:15-7:35 - get Lydia to school

7:35-8:30 - walk with Leah

8:30-3:00 - Gideon should nap a few times, chores done, run errands, pick Lydia up from school

3:00-4:00 - hang out with Lydia, get dinner in the oven or the crockpot

4:00-6:30 - piano lessons, Brian home at 5:00

6:30-7:30 - dinner and baths and bed

Fridays:

6:00-7:15 - get up, dressed, get kids up and dressed and ready for school

7:15-7:35 - get Lydia to school

7:35-8:30 - walk with Leah

8:30-11:30 - try to get Gideon to nap, eat an early lunch

11:30-2:00 - piano lessons at homeschooler's house (5 kiddos)

2:00-4:00 - get Lydia from school, hang out, get dinner ready

4:00-6:00 - piano lessons, Brian home at 5:00

6:00-7:30 - eat dinner, bathe kiddos and in bed

So I actually do have lots of time in between stuff to get those chores done. I just have to make myself do them...and not laze around on the computer or my phone. Of course, I also like taking naps (which is what I meant to be doing right now...oops). Naps will especially be good on days I have piano lessons in the afternoon. My tired-waves usually hit around 3:30 or 4:00...right when piano lessons start!

I Did a Thing So You Can Live

Music Monday

We finished off WEEK ONE of Kindergarten, and things are going pretty well. Lydia still claims she doesn't like school, but is willing to go each morning. Gideon, Lydia and I park near the school and we walk into the cafeteria together to drop her off each morning. I told her to let me know when she was ready for me to just drop her off in the front and she can walk in on her own. I really don't mind parking and walking with her. And Gideon is always up for a good stroller ride. I park and walk to the sidewalk to pick her up each afternoon. It's easier than waiting in the super long car line. And I get her faster - I get to pull her from the line as the kids walk out of the building.

The past few days Lydia has been obsessed with the song What Does the Fox Say. We have heard it over and over again in the car. And then when I'm home, I have it stuck in my head all day! We used to dance to the song on YouTube on the TV...when we could watch YouTube on the TV. Lydia loved it when we would get up and dance with her!

We have the microphone from Rock Band hooked up the the XBox360 so Lydia can sing along to the songs on the game. Unfortunately, she doesn't know any of those songs. So, now she just walks around the living room with the microphone, singing her made up songs. It's cute, and kind of annoying....she sings really, really loud.

Oh, We Can Go Round and Round. Do It Again.

Throwback Thursday

Throwback to that time when Brian and I didn't have any kids....when we could take selfies and pictures of ourselves (and man, we looked good!). Back before my Facebook albums were filled with pictures of babies and kid activities and crafts. Back when Brian would say, "Hey, let's go on a date." And I was like "Where and when?" And he was like, "Anywhere and anytime!" Those were the days.

Today was Day Four of Kindergarten. Drop-off is getting much better and so is pick-up. She still claims she doesn't want to go to school, but doesn't throw a fit or fuss much when I drop her off. I still walk in with her to drop her off in the cafeteria, and I walk to the sidewalk to pick her up (instead of waiting in the car with a screaming baby). I am definitely "living for the weekend". Maybe Lydia will sleep in?

The afternoons are a little long and slow for Lydia. She wants to keep active so she doesn't drift off to sleep. We would go and swim, but today we didn't. I "played" (aka sat and talked to her) in her room this afternoon, but that just wasn't enough. She wanted Daddy to play ball outside (it's like 100 degrees outside), or someone to constantly be entertaining her. She even admitted that she was worried about falling asleep. 

But, she's usually in a good mood in the evenings. After dinner, she will take a bath or shower, we'll read books, sing songs and then both kiddos are in bed and asleep before 7:30. Nice.

She's Bluffing. She Cannot Reach The....

Tip Tuesday

I don't have any tips today. Today I need tips. How do I get Lydia to enjoy Kindergarten? I mean, can you really blame her for not wanting to go? She's been home with me for 5 years (and 99% of that time it was just her), she does everything with me, she's rarely away from me for an extended amount of time. And I just expect her to walk into a school building and hang out with people she doesn't know for 7 hours, 5 days a week! Of course she's scared, and nervous, and cries. Of course she says she doesn't want to go. That it's "boring". That the teacher is "mean". Of course she just wants to hang out at home with me and "be lazy". 

This is definitely a tough transition - for both of us. I know it's only the second day, but it's hard. This parenting thing is really, really hard.

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!

But You're Getting the Hang of It

Throwback Thursday

Throwback to that time when Lydia was just starting Preschool! Oh my goodness, this seems so long ago!

I was so blessed to be able to stay home with Lydia after she was born. I had worked at a child care center up until I was about 5 months pregnant. I then quit the center to work at home, with Leah, at our home care. A few months later, I had my first miracle child. Lydia grew up with five other babies. They saw each other 5 days a week, about 55 hours each week, for the first 15 months of Lydia's life! Lydia's infant-hood was a lot different than Gideon's has been. She had to be on a feeding schedule right away (no feed-on-demand), she had to be on a sleep schedule right away (couldn't spend 30 minutes rocking her to sleep), and she had 5 best friends from the very beginning. I was able to stay home with my baby and work full-time. It was a blessing.

After about a year and a half of running our own business, Leah and I decided to close up shop. For lots of reasons. One of them being I didn't like working five days, all day. I wanted to be more of a stay-at-home mommy - one who could go on playdates and weekday adventures. Leah was also super pregnant with Adah and decided that she, too, wanted to be more of a stay-at-home mommy. I was once again blessed by quickly getting a job (hey, I have to earn my keep) at our church's preschool. I worked 3 days a week, 4 hours a day as the teacher's assistant. I loved the ladies I worked with, and the kiddos, which is why I didn't mind leaving Lydia those three days. Let me tell you, though, that was hard! I hated saying goodbye to my baby in the mornings.

My second year at the preschool, I became the music teacher. Which means I only have to work once a week! Yippee! I didn't have to leave Lydia as often, plus I could expand my piano lesson business (which was really taking off). I love, love, love teaching music. I should have majored in music in college, but I didn't really think I'd ever make a career out of it. By my third year teaching at the preschool, Lydia was able to join me! She started going to preschool...and was in my music class on Wednesdays. I loved bringing her to work! She knew all the teachers (and was loved by all the teachers) and felt like she owned the place. Although a little hesitant at first at being away from me (especially on Fridays), she grew to love going to preschool.

I have cried at every major milestone of Lydia's. I cried when she moved from the nursery wing to the 2-year old wing at church. And then again when she moved to the wing across the hall when she turned 4. I cried when she started preschool for the first time, and when she started preschool the next year. I teared up when she went to speech therapy. She is my constant companion. We are hardly ever apart. She loves working with the babies in the nursery with my on Sundays. She runs all my errands with me. We cuddle on the couch. If I let her sleep in my bed with me, she would. I hold her and rock her when she's sick. She loves going shopping with me and helping me decide what clothes to buy. I love talking with her, drawing with her, playing games with her.

For five years she has been my constant companion (minus a couple of weekend getaways and mini-vacations). And now, she will be heading off to Kindergarten. It truly is as bittersweet as they say. I am excited for this new chapter in her life, but at the same time, I am sad that she will be away from me most of the day. I wish I could be there to help her navigate the hallways, build friendships, follow directions. I wish I could sit at her desk and help her with her worksheets. I wish I could eat lunch with her everyday and make sure she eats all her food. I wish I could stand beside her and make sure she's not bullied, and make sure she is kind to all her classmates. 

I so wish I could turn back the clock and she could be my sweet little three-year old again. But, she will be off to Kindergarten on Monday. I have to let go. I have to let her make her own choices, her own friends. I have to let her learn how to get from parent drop off to the cafeteria all on her own. She has to learn to speak up for herself, to not be shy or passive. 

I know she will be great. She will be great at Kindergarten, a great friend, a great student. I know that God will watch over my precious baby when I can't.

The teacher had a questionnaire for us to fill out about Lydia. One question was "What unique qualities does your child have?" We asked Lydia this question and her answer: "Jesus". This girl has everything under control.

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.

I Would Not Call it a Holiday. But You Dooz Need to Take the Day Off.

Friday Funday

Last night Adah spent the night. Lydia and Adah usually get along really, really well. And then there are times where they do not get along at all. Last night was one of those times where they played super well together! Yeah! They played and played before dinner, had dinner, played some more, had a bath, ate dessert and watched a show, and then they were ready for bed.

And that's when my glorious plan of having a sleep over came to an end - because there was no sleeping involved. I learned earlier (when I would have Adah over once a month) that I cannot just leave them in Lydia's bed alone and expect them to fall asleep. They will play. Lydia will fall asleep but Adah will bother her. Adah will fall asleep but Lydia will bother her. So, I sit in the room until they fall asleep. Shouldn't take too long...they had played all day and should be worn out. Wrong. Lydia fell asleep pretty quickly, but Adah managed to hold out for a long time (try over an hour). Finally, I got tired of sitting in the room, took Adah's stuffed animals from her, and left. About 10 minutes later, both girls were asleep.

But they weren't asleep for long. Lydia came into our room around 11:30 wanting to be tucked back in. Thankfully she didn't wake up Adah. Then, at 3:30 in the morning (in the morning), I hear playing around in Lydia's room. WHAT are they doing AWAKE?! I went in and they were just happily playing with Lydia's doll house. Lydia tells me, "Well, when I get up to play the sun always comes up." Yes...when she gets up around 6:30 the sun will come up soon...but not when you get up at 3:30! I had them get back in bed, sang them a song, and prayed they would sleep!

Of course I couldn't sleep because I just knew Gideon would wake up soon. And sure enough, at 4:30, he was awake and ready to nurse back to sleep. And while I was nursing, Lydia was up telling Brian that Adah was keeping her awake. Ugh! Thankfully, I didn't hear the girls again until about 7:30 when they asked to watch Lydia's iPad. And Gideon didn't get up until 8:30 - I finally managed to sleep in.

The girls played pretty well together this morning. We made pancakes and then I set up a water play area out on the porch for them (oops, haven't cleaned that up yet...). Leah was done running errands by 11, so we sent Adah back home and we went BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING! 

It was a bittersweet trip to Wal-Mart this afternoon. We had Lydia's school supply list in hand and were ready to shop during tax-free weekend. I tried my best to get Lydia excited, but when she said, "I will be scared to go to school" I almost wanted to break down crying. We promised her a special present after her first week of school if drop off goes well and she's behaved in class. Daddy promised me a present after the first week of school if drop off goes well for me too (i.e. no crying!)! Lydia had fun picking out all the supplies and it was actually fun preparing for Kindergarten.

Part of me is looking forward to having her gone most of the day for five days a week, while the other part of me doesn't want to part with my baby. How do moms send off their babies to school ALL DAY LONG?! What will she do without me? I am most worried about drop off - if she starts crying I know I will start crying even more!

Enough about back to school - we still have 3 weeks. After Wal-Mart we headed over to SAM's club and renewed our membership. Then we had lunch and ordered our pictures for the frames over our couch. They turned out great! And it looks really good above our new leather couch! 

Lydia rested this afternoon and I worked on putting pictures into frames. And we discussed getting two matching side tables (those things are expensive). Lydia woke up in an awful mood. Awful.

Then dinner rolled around and that was no fun. At. All. Lydia is turning into a teenager already and I'm not ready for it. I'm barely ready for a 5-year old! This girl has attitude and it's driving me crazy! And her Daddy gives in to her! I don't know what to do about her attitude. I try sending her to her room or ignoring it, but then Daddy steps in and feels bad for her and tries to "fix" the situation. Which usually ends up with Lydia getting her way when she shouldn't have. Oh well. 

The kids are in bed. I need to pump and then head to bed myself.

We have a garage sale tomorrow with Marc and Keisha. I have a ton of baby boy clothes to sell, plus a few other things. We'll see how it goes.