Rounding out February 2010

Another busy couple of weeks for me. After being snowed out so much for my play rehearsals we have had to make up a BUNCH of time! It has been madness. We've had to add yet another morning rehearsal to the schedule and since I have to share kids we've had to finagle rehearsals when we can since EVERYONE had to reschedule events. We have snuck in some super fun rehearsals, but it's down to crunch time so we're hitting them hard from here on out. I've also re-certified as a Special Olympics coach so the PALs and I are going to start training some athletes for the spring games really soon! I'm so excited! I LOVED being a Special Olympics coach before and am really pumped up to start one with our school! Hopefully having one major 'project' for my PALs (starting and maintaining the SO team) will also help organize that aspect of my schedule so there is less chaos for assisting the kids in getting their required service hours. My junior high kids have received their roles for the spring musical and are really starting to get excited about our May performance!

Richard had another trial this week. He's also helping with campaigning now for some of the local elections (judges and DA are on the ballot this go-round). Early voting began last week so there has been plenty to do to prep for voting lately. I am so glad that I don't have to work right in there with all the people running for offices. How do you decide amongst your colleagues without upsetting one side or the other, then worrying about the candidate you DO support NOT getting into office, but the other knowing that you voted against them now that they are in a position to make it stinky for you... UGH! One more reason why I'm soooo glad it's him that does that type of job and not me! I'm way too much of a people pleaser, 'please everyone like me'-type of person to handle that pressure well! He's holding up splendidly though! It never ceases to amaze me how well we compliment each other, even when it causes friction. He is right at home in that politically correct, justice delivering, formal atmosphere. I, on the other hand, relish my volunteerism, touchy-feely, save the world, reach all students atmosphere. I get vocal and impassioned for the underdog when I think they were wronged, but He stays cool and calm when looking at the facts logically. Jansen's poor teachers/coaches have NO IDEA what is coming when he gets into school/activities. It's going to be like dealing with Jekyl and Hyde for them. Poor things!

Jonathan is preparing for this year's state standardized tests. They begin this Wednesday and so from now until the end of April is high pressure time for him too. I HATE that they do this to the kids. I'm all for upping the expectationsof our students, but not making everything ride on standardized testing. He says he feels 'pretty good' about the upcoming tests, for now though.

Jansen had his 18 month appointment with the pediatrician this week. It was originally supposed to be more than a week ago, but we got snowed out so it was rescheduled. His stats: 19.2 pounds, 30 1/2 inches. He only gained 2 OUNCES in 3 months! He did gain height and his head is growing at a good rate, but he's still a featherweight. His doc isn't worried right now because his other growth is good. Jansen doesn't like meat so we are now trying to find vegetarian alternatives to make sure he is getting all of his nutrients. The doc's biggest concern with him not eating meat is Iron, so we're working on that right now. He also now has THIRTEEN teeth! We went from 7 to 13 in three months, and have the sleepless nights to prove it! Even the doc was shocked when he got in there and counted all those buggers. Jansen doesn't let us get a peek in there, but for some reason opens right up for Dr. Yap. We have had some seriously rough nights these past few months so I'm relieved to hear there has been so much progress to come of such unpleasantness. Everything else he is right on target with or advanced on, developmentally. He's quite a chatterbox and mimic right now. He also 'jumps' and tries to do the exercises with Daddy and I on our home workouts from yoga poses to running. He's really pretty coordinated for such a shrimp and he climbs like a champ. The little stinker catches on to things REALLY quickly too, whether you want him to or not. Sometimes it's really cute, but other times it's almost like he's calling you out for doing something the WRONG way. I use my foot to move Cody because he's so big when I am holding Jansen and don't have enough arms to move him that way. He loves to be right up on us, especially if Jansen is having a snack. The other day Jansen was sitting on my lap when Cody walked up to us and he stretched his leg out as far as he could reach to 'move' Cody with his own foot, catching the poor dog in the head with a side kick. Granted he's not big enough to make much of a difference and he wasn't being vicious, but it sure told me how much he's watching EVERYTHING we do! The kids at the school are having fun teaching him expressions during the play rehearsals before Daddy comes to pick him up. We have quite a little ham on our hands!

Once again my blogging has entered into the twilight hours so I'm off to snuggle into the covers and get a wink or two in before Jansen decides it's time to wake the household!