First day of school

I am starting to home school my daughter tomorrow. I am so excited! We are doing the Montessori method and starting out with practical life activities. She will be learning how to stand, how to walk, how to walk in a line, how to walk around a rug, how to sit, and how to sit in a chair. I know they sound basic, but so many people never actually teach their child how to do this stuff and then get frustrated that they are not doing it correctly.

I am looking forward to spending some quality time with Mena because Dad is starting back to work tomorrow. This will be a great chance to get on a good schedule and stick to it!

I have been organizing and changing our basement into a Montessori classroom. I will post pictures soon. (I can't seem to have enough shelves!!!!)

Mena-ism: Conference Call

So last night Dom and I were introducing ourselves for our conference call for Lighthouse. I said, " Dominic and Amanda from Michigan." Mena yells, "and Mena too!" It was pretty funny.

Mena-ism: The Bomb!

So the other day we are driving and Dom says something to the effect of "I'm the bomb!" Mena pipes up from the back seat and says, "No! Daddy not the bomb. Mommy's the bomb!" It was hillarious! And YES, we are bringing the bomb back. Whenever you hear it, thank us for bringing it back!

My family picture with Grandma

My immediate family with my Grandma (Mom's Mom) All five of the kids are three and under. Oren had just turned three the previous Saturday. So, just barely three and under! Oh and one on the way in my sister Marie's belly!

The Next Stage...

Tomorrow I have to make an appointment with the Gago Fertility Clinic in Michigan. This is a big step. I am a little scared I guess and would love some support from friends and family. Right now I feel alone, like this is a huge deal for Dom and I, but that some people don't even have a clue that we have been trying to have a baby for two whole years now. No one ever asks me about how I am doing (accept for a few wonderful people!) and I guess I just feel like I would like someone to talk to about all this. I am hopeful that something wonderful will happen through the Dr's help at this clinic. I hope you don't feel like this is a sympathy message. I just needed to vent. I am sure that I don't have to state this, but of course we're not pregnant this month. Again.
I will let you know about the appointment when I have more details.

So yeah...

Sooo, last night was an exact repeat of the night before. I got her down at 8 last night, she was up at 11pm and stayed up til 3am! What is the deal!!!! I put her down at 10:45 tonight. I am so hoping she will stay asleep all night long. I need a good night sleep as much as she does. That was just a bit crazy!

I've about had it!

This is getting a bit crazy!!!!!!!!!!!I am sitting here next to my daughters bed trying to get her to sleep. You will never guess what time it is... 1:47 am! That's right folks. Like I said, CRAZY! We slept in this morning so I didn't let her take a nap this afternoon. She fell asleep around 7 and then woke up five times before 10:30 so I made the huge mistake of having her come sit on the couch with me because there was no way I wanted to put her down for yet another time only to go back in a few minutes later. Well, she stayed up. It's almost 2 and I am exhausted. I am getting so drained because Mena will only let me put her to bed, she insists that I feed her (which is also getting old and needs to be nipped in the bud!), and she pretty much is a mommas girl all day long. I need a break!!!!!!!!!! Dom is starting back to work in just a few weeks now and I am so disappointed that we didn't work on this stuff will I had him this summer. He needs to be able to put her to bed sometimes! She also needs a better schedule. This school year will bring some much needed changes. For now, just pray that I get through the night (while dad snores in the other room!!!)

Wordless Wednesday!

Mena was so pooped out from the trip that she feel asleep on her daddy in the lazy river at the reunion. It was simply precious. This nap lasted about 45 minutes with Dom going round and round. He will never forget it. There is nothing more beautiful than a sleeping baby...let alone one sleeping in your arms while you are floating along!

Oren's Third Birthday

Happy Birthday Oren!

Mena and cousin Alice

His new sword!

This was a "Firebomb" that kept going off during the fireworks. It was crazy! You could fee the heat all the way out in the crowd from it.

The whole gang-minus Dom who took the picture.

My nephew Oren turned three years old last weekend. I can't believe it. He is such a doll. Mena will be three in just 3 short months and this was a stark reminder! Wow, how time flies. Oren received some great gifts and the food was great. We also went to the parade and the fireworks all together and he thought they were happening because of his "Big Day!" Too cute!

Iowa Vacation (take 2)

Our time at Palo Beach with my sister Ann, husband Aaron and their three kids. It was a beautiful day to be out in the sun!

This is the family at the Pickle Days Parade by Ann and Aaron's house. We got a ton of candy because we got there a few minutes late and had our own spot. Worked out fantastic!

I have so many pictures and wonderful memories from this weekend. I will try to write this is several posts. We were gone for ten days visiting my family in Iowa, the end of which was our family reunion in Starved Rock, IL. So much fun was had by all! These are some pictures of the events that took place in the previous post I wrote last week. Stay tuned for even more pictures!

AMANDA