We have a "Potter" fan

Colin has never cared about tv. Tonight has been different. We were playing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and he heard Dobby. He watched, and has been hooked. He watched for a full five minutes. He's never paid attention more than 30 seconds to anything-usually music/theme songs for cartoons. That is until tonight. Scott and I LOVE HP, so it seems fitting that his first movie would be one. In addition he is currently "begging" daddy for popcorn. He's winning the battle. Colin has learned from the dogs. He always begs for food. Today we went to Culver's with family and he begged, literally, for ice cream. He just assumed everyone should give him a bite and share whatever they had. He's such a stinker. A loveable stinker!

He walked 5-6 steps this afternoon to me. He's wobbly, but moving. Just looked at daddy--he's holding Colin and they are both watching the movie-Colin is chewing finger while rubbing daddy's arm with other hand. He should have been in bed 30 minutes ago--this could be a long night, folks.

Completely Amazed

We started giving our finals today, and it has been disheartening. It is a great final--a performance event, exit interview. The kids have to take specifics of what they've learned and connect them to the big ideas of the course. The kids are doing terribly. Here's the sad part, our class is an honors class. I feel like they are performing worse than my at-level class last year. I felt like banging my head against the wall after 3 hours straight of finals this afternoon. Our kids couldn't support arguments and some couldn't tell us anything about a single thing they've learned. That's scary! I felt like we had high standards and were really pushing the kids. Shows how much I know. It makes me feel like a complete failure as a teacher.

Ready for the school year to be over.

Totally indulgent post

I LOVE to read! Some of my faves are the Shopaholic books (not crazy about the movie), anything by Jane Austen, and many mystery series. I love Janet Evanovich--currently reading Fearless Fourteen. Why? She makes me laugh out loud. I usually like cozy, clean mysteries, but there is something about the Stephanie Plum novels I just love even though she is a bit racy--not too much. If you read these, the character of Lula is my absolute favorite. I can just see her saying and doing the things that are described. I read these types of mysteries voraciously. I can read them in like 2 days if I really dedicate myself to them (like stay up really late and devote every free moment to reading). I'm so looking forward to summer to catch up on my reading I've missed out on this year from adjusting to Colin. I'm always looking for something new, so feel free to make suggestions!

We have a novice walker

Colin is able to stand with minimal aid, gain his balance, and take a couple to a few steps to reach close destinations. It won't be long til he is up and running.

Picture crazy

So we took lots of pics over the last couple of days. We are so close to walking. He let go of stuff a lot today, and was able to keep his balance for a few seconds and even take a step or two forward the one time. Of course, once we broke out the video camera he had no interest in standing. He has NO FEAR. He launches himself out of everything and head first! Gives me a heart attack each time, but he doesn't even care.

Above--Walking behind his lion. Look at that self-satisfaction. Kona is looking on with trepidation.



Practicing pointing! One of his new favorite things.

Sometimes it's easiest to just eat without a shirt. It makes clean up easier. I don't remember why I didn't have a shirt on him. He had probably thrown up on himself.

Getting kisses from Cosmo. He torments Cosmo all the time. He crawls over to Cosmo, and if Cos is sitting, Col pulls up on him. If Cos is laying down, Col rolls all over him and climbs on him. Cosmo has too much patience. He just lays there and licks Colin as a defense mechanism. Kona cries whenever this occurs b/c he's jealous that Cosmo is getting extra attention, but he's too scared to let Colin get close.

Col-col spends a lot of time with his fingers in his mouth. He's been trying to cut his next 8 teeth (some molars included) for the last 3 weeks, so he loves to chew.

Cuddling--let the licks begin!

Colin is at such a fun age. We took him to a Parents as Teachers event last night, Down on the Farm. He enjoyed looking at all the animals, especially the small ones. He also liked playing with plastic ducks in water and shaking plastic eggs with change.

I've got to take some pictures

I can't believe I don't have any new pics to post. I need to get on that--bad mommy! Our wedding season has begun and continues until September. We haven't been to many weddings since 2004, but the festivities are a rollin'. Scott's brother gets married in 12 days and we had a shower for his fiancee yesterday. His sister gets married in August and we've got lots of stuff we are commited for with that since we are both in the wedding. Showers begin in June for Sarah and I've been planning like crazy since March. I'm a bit of an over-achiever when it comes to these things. I want everything to be perfect. Sometimes you just gotta let go. There are 5 other girls and two moms willing to help, but I know I'll do it the way I want, so I'm having trouble delegating. What can I say, I'm a teacher, not a manager. I would be a terrible manager.

I'll try to take some pics in the next couple of days.

So frustrated

I am so frustrated. Colin has another ear infection. This makes 3 in each ear in the last 4 months. I'm frustrated b/c I breastfed him and he has had regular chiropractic care since birth. I'm about to lose faith in it all. I feel like he has had no benefit from any of it. I'm sure this is just a knee jerk reaction due to my frustration, but I think I'll reconsider if I have another child. Lots of people see the benefits of both, but I feel they have failed us. The breastmilk I probably shouldn't blame. When he had his first 2 ear infections he was mix fed, and his two since he has been on solids and formula. I don't know what to think.

On a happier note. Scott is a wine genius!! He passed his certified specialist of wine designation with flying colors. He studied so much. He had to know every grape; every way to make all wines and champagnes; every wine region in every country --ncluding their geography, grapes, and wine laws;, and so much more. It was intense just helping him study.

I think he might go for the certified educator of wine. This is really prestigious. He would have to due a "blind" taste test (where he can see the wine, but doesn't know what it is) and be able to tell the variety, single or blended, and age. This will require an investment of a lot of time and money (to get all the wine for him to practice virtually every night). He thinks he has someone that will pay for him to actually take the test and his accomodations. I think he'll decide in the next 2-3 weeks if he'll go for it.

Where did the month of April go?

Wow. I don't know. We hardly took pictures and nothing significant happened-at least not that I can recall. Just busy with the daily grind. My house becomes increasingly difficult to keep picked up and therefore clean as Colin is soooo busy. I'm so exhausted when he takes naps or goes to bed for the night that cleaning is the last thing I want to do.

Colin and I have been feeling icky for the last week. We don't have the swine flu, but it feels terrible. Colin has had a runny nose and phlegm of course, and it has thickened up. He's only run a low grade fever, so no big worries. It just causes him to spit up if he gets too much drainage. For me--terrible sinus pressure and ear congestion and a very stuffy nose. I should probably go to the doctor b/c I'm only a bit better, but I hate going to the doctor. I haven't been to the doctor for being sick in about 3 years. Why break a good record?