Mr. Motor Mouth

Since Mackenzie was the first baby and didn't babble like a normal baby does, I really didn't know how much they communicate before they really develop speech. However, I am learning quickly now with 2 kiddos talking non stop. You can, pretty much, tell what Mackenzie says all the time now. On top of that, Cameron is babbling like crazy. I know we don't have to worry about speech therapy for him!

I'm proud of both of my kids and feel bad sometimes. On my way to work today I was wondering what it would be like and what Marty and I would be doing if we didn't have them. I love them dearly, of course, but our life would be drastically different without them. I think I'll keep them :)

She's sure growing up

Mackenzie is getting so big! She started going to school again this year. She's only able to stay until her third birthday but at least she gets some interaction.

Unlike last year, this year parents drop off the 2.5 year olds for an hour and a half. Last year we stayed with them. She has so much fun and they say she's such a big helper. Today when I got there to pick her up, she didn't want to listen, so I automatically think she did it the whole time. Her teacher said nope she was a perfect little angel, showed a friend how he should jump, shared her favorite chair and was just so good. That made me feel really good. I just wish she'd do that at home!

Not to be left out, Cameron is slowly learning how to feed himself with his spoon and fork. It's taking more time with him than it did with Mackenzie. I think that's because he's a bit more stubborn at this age than he was. He'd rather use his hands than his silverware.

Sewing

Has been on the back burner for a bit. Marty got me all the necessities for me to make a dress for my birthday (I of course picked it all out, including the pattern) but I haven't made it yet. I've washed the material and cut out the pattern. However, once I started reading the directions, I began to get nervous, so I didn't do anything with it. Until today. The kids spent the night with my mom and I have a break before I have to be back to work, so I decided to work on it again.

I was right to be nervous about it. The material is so hard to work with so it's taking a lot longer to do than I had planned. Good thing the kids aren't here. There's no way I could do any of it if they were.

I had to take a break at the moment to get some lunch and give my back a break. It is not easy to half way bend over for an hour. Plus, I worked this morning and that always does a number on my back. I really wished we had a jacuzzi tub.

Enough here for now. I need to get my lunch and get back to my dress.

Viruses

Never seem to go away in this house. I noticed Wednesday night Cameron started to sound a bit stuffy. By Thursday morning he was having snot everywhere and he still does. And it's in his chest as well. Mackenzie was fine until midday yesterday and is now all congested. I can feel congestion starting in my chest. I swear, someone has been sick in our house for the last month now. It's getting really old.

This week I finally work my normal week and no more having the kids gone half the week. I'm very excited about that. Plus, I get 2 days off (Sunday and Monday), then I work 2 days and have 2 more days off!! That's the best news ever for me. I'm burnt out from working 6 days a week almost every week this summer.

I got the call from Mackenzie's school yesterday. She gets to go back on Thursday next week for her open house. After that she will spend 1.5 hours every Tuesday and Thursday at school with no parents, until her 3rd birthday in November! I'm excited for her to have the chance of this new experience and she can't wait to go meet new friends! After the holidays and she's no longer in school, she won't be eligible for preschool until next fall, so I'm going to try and get her into a 3 year old "dance" class right down the road. It's called pre ballet, but it says they don't learn the actual ballet steps at that age. It's more to help with body awareness in your space and coordination. We're doing it to keep her in social situations with kids her own age.

I'm in the process of looking for a new or another job right now. I make a good hourly wage but I'm not getting the hours we need. So hopefully I can find something I like and pays well. There is an opening for a 911 dispatcher that I'm applying for. It's full time, with benefits and $2 more an hour than I'm making. I think I'd really like something like that. But I'm still looking at other options as well.

I should go. I need to figure out something to make the kids for lunch and get to the grocery store. We have almost no food in the house :)

My brain

Doesn't work all of the time. Through all of the busy-ness (I'm sure that's not a word) I haven't mentioned; we only have one kid in diapers now! Except night and nap time. And she hasn't had and accident in 3 weeks!!!

Now that she has potty time down, we're working more on her attitude and back talk. She's in the full swing of her terrible 2's and she's got me going crazy. I think this is only a window into her teen years. If it is, I'm gonna need therapy!

Cameron's still in his brace at night, but he walks a little during the day. He can walk a few steps on his own but is very stubborn. (I have no idea where he could be getting that from) He went with Mackenzie to school this week and they sent home a walk behind toy that's heavier than the ones we have here, so he can use that the rest of the summer. He even used it to walk to the corner and back home again! That's close for us but when you're 2 feet tall that's a long way! I'm a proud momma!

Dishes need to be finished now so I must go.

Finally a break

Until this week, I worked 6 days a week for the last 5 weeks. I was exhausted and so excited to have 3 days off in a row this week! I go back to work tomorrow.

When aunt Jo was in town we celebrated all of the summer birthdays. There are 5 in the family from June 1 to August 12. The only thing I told Marty I wanted this year was a sewing machine. Grandma however, had an old sewing machine she was about to get rid of until I told her I wanted to start sewing. When I was younger and spent the summer days at Papa and Grandmas, she taught me the basics of sewing. Nothing I made was spectacular but it was nice being able to learn something like that. Anyhow, I was given the old sewing machine during the summer birthday party. Turns out, it's the same one I learned on. I think it's pretty cool and it makes it that much more special. I've been relearning the basics of sewing and have made a couple things so far. For my actual birthday Marty got me a pattern and material (of course I picked it all out :) to make a dress. I think I'll be starting on that tomorrow night once the kids get to bed.

On my 3 days off I've kept somewhat busy but trying to relax as well. Wednesday I slept in a little bit!!! Then I had a dentist appointment :( Had a good check up though. I don't always have the best time at the dentist. That evening Marty made BBQ chicken, asparagus and potatoes all the while Mackenzie and I made tie dyed shirts for the 4 of us. I love how they turned out and I'm even wearing it to work tomorrow.

Thursday I decided to take the kids to Kalamazoo Valley Museum. We picked up Danielle and Taylor as well to go with us. We only spent a couple hours there but it was quite enjoyable and the kids were pooped by the time we get home.

Today was nothing fun. Picked up my pay check and did grocery shopping. Today for me however was the most exhausting. These kids can drain your energy faster than running a marathon sometimes. Maybe it's good because I have to get up early for work but dang it's hard :) I do love my babies though, no matter how strong willed they are.

I have to work tomorrow and Mackenzie and I have a bridal shower Sunday evening. Next week will hopefully be easier for the kids and I. Work Monday morning,Mary Kay Monday night, Mackenzie has therapy Tuesday morning, I work Wednesday morning. Then no actual plans until work Saturday. I'm going to have to figure out a craft or 2 to keep them busy too.

All work and no play

Makes me tired and boring. I've been working a lot for everyone going on vacation so tomorrow will be my only day off this week. Thank goodness you don't get mail on Sundays, I might not have a day off if we did. The next 2 weeks, also I work everyday except Sunday and the 4th of course. I like having this job, but I don't like getting up at 5:15. Plus, the last couple days have been nothing but drama. Sometimes I can't stand small towns.

Since I was hired to work for everyone when they go on vacation, we were not able to go to the Ledbetter reunion this year. Pretty disappointing, but I hope everyone that could make it has a blast!

Yesterday one of the rural carriers retired. We had a surprise retirement party for her. I've only been there 2 months but she grows on you quick. Pretty sure I'll miss her.

Since Marty and I both have tomorrow off, we're taking the kids to the air show in Battle Creek. The USAF blue angels will be doing a show and it looks like there will be quite a bit for kids to do there. I think it'll be a good day.

I was able to get the house cleaned this morning between my Saturday shifts, but now it's about lunch time so I need to figure out lunch for the kids.