Last week was a particularly exhausting week for me. Baby was schedule for music class, my visiting teaching companion had arranged appointments to meet with our "sisters," Baby had his home evaluation and we were expecting Jeff's parents. On top of that, it was Valentine's Day weekend.
For weeks my mom had been telling me that she was going to visit. In fact, we were expecting to see her well before Jeff's parents arrived, but that didn't happen. Jeff's parents were here first. Mother had told me that she wanted to visit us before going on her trip to Mexico to visit family in February and so she told me that she was going to visit us on the 18th or 19th.
On Wednesday, February 17th, I took Baby to his music class, where we finally were able to attend to meet with our "class" for the first time. Baby met Owen, a 2-year-old boy and his other classmates were all girls, including a set of ginger twins. After music class, on our way home, I picked up Panera for lunch to go. Baby and I ate at home and then waited for the tree-cutters to arrive. It was over cast and windy, it looked like it might rain so we weren't sure if the tree-cutters would re-schedule, but they arrived and got to work immediately. Baby was tired because I had waken him early to get him to music class, but it would be impossible for me to lay him down for his nap. So long as the tree-cutters were working in the back yard and by the curb, the dogs would continue to bark. I had to wait until they were finished to put Baby down.
He was tired, however, and so he clung to me. He was so exhausted that I had to carry him in my arms or strap him to his high chair in order to go to the bathroom. I was carrying him in my arms when I walked by our kitchen and noticed a face pressed again our kitchen window. It was Mother! I wasn't expecting them on Wednesday, so their visit was a surprise.
I let them in and Mother greeted my tired Baby excitedly and made him cry. We chatted until the work crew was finished and then Baby and I fell asleep exhausted.
It was the dogs barking who woke us up when Jeff arrived from work. Baby was so tired he went back to sleep. Jeff and I woke him up at 6:30 PM and then we all went out to dinner. Mother had brought Baby's Christmas presents to him. We were unable to meet with my sister because we were sick Christmas week, so Mom had Christmas presents for Baby from my sister and my aunt in Fresno. On her phone, we recorded Baby opening his presents. Of course, the two toys were his favorites. He received a zoo playset from the Frausto family and eco baby care and a toy truck from the Ayala family.
Friday, February 19, 2016
I didn't take Baby to music class on the evening of February 9th. He had his home evaluation on Wednesday, February 10th. The coordinator, a teacher and a speech therapist came to our house to evaluate Baby and to discuss whether he would be a good candidate for at-home instruction. As I had suspected, in all areas he was doing well with the exception of speech, therefore, I was told that he would qualify for home services.
On Friday, February 12th we were expecting Jeff's parents to visit and to bring Pip back home. They had taken Pip with them last October and he was coming home again. Jeff and his parents said that we should consider finding another home for Pip, and although I can no longer care for them and give them the attention I used to give them before I can't bring myself to hand them over to a complete stranger. Since having Baby, having our dogs at home has been a nightmare. I could not have imagined how much stress I would be subjected to because of the situation. If we knew a family who could lovingly care for them as we had done before our son was born I would consider sending them to their new family. I wish that my mom could be in the position to be able to care for them but she can't-- no one in my family can. We have asked Jeff's parents if they would be willing to give Pip a home and they have said no.
And so Jeff's parents, Bob and Pip arrived on Friday. Pip, of course, knew us but we were concerned about the way he would behave during his re-adjustment. Baby was wary of Pip because he no longer remembered him but it didn't take long before he felt at ease again with four-legged companion.
I didn't buy a gift for Jeff, but I decided to try to help Baby "make" a gift for him instead. On Friday, before Jeff was home from work, I helped Baby dip his bare feet in red paint and then we "stamped" his feet onto sheets of paper in the shape of a heart. I tried to form the shape with Baby's hands and with his feet. We made three attempts and I wrote "I love you, Daddy, with all my heart" on the sheet and helped Baby sign it. It was my sister who gave me the idea when she informed me that her son had come home from pre-school with red-stained feet.
Baby also had a card and a set of balloons for his Daddy and we had that ready for him when he arrived on Friday after work.
On Saturday, February 13th we dressed Baby in his Valentine's Day "casual" and took him to the park where I took some photos again. Jeff's parents made Baby laugh at the park and Karen helped him climb up the slides. Unfortunately, we left his red wooden train at the park!
In the early evening, Jeff and I went to the movies while Jeff's parents cared for Baby. We hadn't been to the movies in about three years and would you believe Jeff whined about the cost of our snacks?! I told him that it was absurd to be fixated on having spent $30 on snacks because we only go to movies every three years, and if you break it down, that's $10/year. Enjoy it, Jeff!
Valentine's Day was on Sunday this year. I didn't wake when my alarm went off, so I wasn't able to get in the shower before Jeff. Then his parents were awake and also got in the shower. We only have one shower in the house so I was not able to go with them to church. Baby stayed with me at home, too. Baby was taking a bath when Jeff and his parents returned. They had enjoyed the "talks" at church and were eager to tell me about them. Karen and Brian then started getting ready to leave and were gone shortly afterwards. They are going to return next month, in late March with the family from Eastern Europe for which they will be tour-guiding.
Baby went to park.
On Friday, February 12th we were expecting Jeff's parents to visit and to bring Pip back home. They had taken Pip with them last October and he was coming home again. Jeff and his parents said that we should consider finding another home for Pip, and although I can no longer care for them and give them the attention I used to give them before I can't bring myself to hand them over to a complete stranger. Since having Baby, having our dogs at home has been a nightmare. I could not have imagined how much stress I would be subjected to because of the situation. If we knew a family who could lovingly care for them as we had done before our son was born I would consider sending them to their new family. I wish that my mom could be in the position to be able to care for them but she can't-- no one in my family can. We have asked Jeff's parents if they would be willing to give Pip a home and they have said no.
And so Jeff's parents, Bob and Pip arrived on Friday. Pip, of course, knew us but we were concerned about the way he would behave during his re-adjustment. Baby was wary of Pip because he no longer remembered him but it didn't take long before he felt at ease again with four-legged companion.
I didn't buy a gift for Jeff, but I decided to try to help Baby "make" a gift for him instead. On Friday, before Jeff was home from work, I helped Baby dip his bare feet in red paint and then we "stamped" his feet onto sheets of paper in the shape of a heart. I tried to form the shape with Baby's hands and with his feet. We made three attempts and I wrote "I love you, Daddy, with all my heart" on the sheet and helped Baby sign it. It was my sister who gave me the idea when she informed me that her son had come home from pre-school with red-stained feet.
Baby also had a card and a set of balloons for his Daddy and we had that ready for him when he arrived on Friday after work.
On Saturday, February 13th we dressed Baby in his Valentine's Day "casual" and took him to the park where I took some photos again. Jeff's parents made Baby laugh at the park and Karen helped him climb up the slides. Unfortunately, we left his red wooden train at the park!
In the early evening, Jeff and I went to the movies while Jeff's parents cared for Baby. We hadn't been to the movies in about three years and would you believe Jeff whined about the cost of our snacks?! I told him that it was absurd to be fixated on having spent $30 on snacks because we only go to movies every three years, and if you break it down, that's $10/year. Enjoy it, Jeff!
Valentine's Day was on Sunday this year. I didn't wake when my alarm went off, so I wasn't able to get in the shower before Jeff. Then his parents were awake and also got in the shower. We only have one shower in the house so I was not able to go with them to church. Baby stayed with me at home, too. Baby was taking a bath when Jeff and his parents returned. They had enjoyed the "talks" at church and were eager to tell me about them. Karen and Brian then started getting ready to leave and were gone shortly afterwards. They are going to return next month, in late March with the family from Eastern Europe for which they will be tour-guiding.
Baby went to park.
I made the motion to have Baby's development evaluated. I have been concerned about his delayed speech. Baby's new music session started in February and Baby and I were able to attend the evening session the first week on 2nd of February. The first part of Baby's evaluation was on Wednesday morning at home.
That week also marked the beginning of Baby beginning to hand Tink her daily "candy" treats.
On Saturday, February 6th, Jeff and I took Baby to the zoo in Lodi. It wasn't a big zoo and Jeff was disappointed that they didn't have large animals. We allowed Baby to roam on his own a little in the zoo and I took photos and recorded him on camera.
We then made our way to the Japanese Gardens. Baby enjoyed being outside in the fresh air, free to roam and happy to take in the scenery. For his part, Jeff enjoys Japanese Gardens. He likes Koi and bonsai.
From Lodi we made our way to Sacramento where we spend the rest of the evening at IKEA. Before Baby was born we had been there once before. Sacramento is far so we don't go often, but it was nice to be there together as a family.
For the 1st time we had lunch at IKEA. Jeff, of course, was disappointed with the cost and I was disappointed with the serving portions, but otherwise, I liked it.
That week also marked the beginning of Baby beginning to hand Tink her daily "candy" treats.
On Saturday, February 6th, Jeff and I took Baby to the zoo in Lodi. It wasn't a big zoo and Jeff was disappointed that they didn't have large animals. We allowed Baby to roam on his own a little in the zoo and I took photos and recorded him on camera.
We then made our way to the Japanese Gardens. Baby enjoyed being outside in the fresh air, free to roam and happy to take in the scenery. For his part, Jeff enjoys Japanese Gardens. He likes Koi and bonsai.
From Lodi we made our way to Sacramento where we spend the rest of the evening at IKEA. Before Baby was born we had been there once before. Sacramento is far so we don't go often, but it was nice to be there together as a family.
For the 1st time we had lunch at IKEA. Jeff, of course, was disappointed with the cost and I was disappointed with the serving portions, but otherwise, I liked it.
Nursery
Brian turned 18-months-old on January 27! Not only are we half way to his 2nd birthday but being 18-months-old also makes old enough to begin Nursery at church, so we took him on January 31st. Because he doesn't get to interact with strangers and children much, I was concerned about leaving him alone. Jeff and I led him to Nursery where we found Sis. Carol, who used to serve in Primary when I was a Sunbeam teacher. She didn't recognize me, but she was my favorite "teacher" during Sharing-Time at Primary. I was surprised to find Nursery a small room, more so because toddlers need space to roll or push some of their toys.
Sis. Carol told Jeff and I that there are only a handful of children who attend Nursery, and it's rare for all the children to attend together. She mentioned the children who were there, and I was surprised that she hadn't mentioned Sis. Smith's daughter who is Baby's age. I would learn later that she moved back to her home state.
A father brought his son Jonah to Nursery, and he was the only other child there aside from Baby. Unfortunately, he cried most of that first hour. I felt terrible for him as he needed comfort and I even considered going to find one of his parents but I was afraid to leave Baby alone so I didn't volunteer to do that. For his part, Baby occupied himself playing with the assortment of toys they had there.
I learned from Sis. Carol that it was also 5th Sunday on this day. The adults would meet in the chapel again for the last hour of church and substitute "teachers" would arrive to replace Sis. Carol and our other Nursery teacher.
Jeff then appeared to find out how we were doing. He and Sis. Carol encouraged me to go with Jeff to 5th Sunday meeting and to leave Baby with his teen "substitute" teachers. Jonah's father had also come in to see how he was doing and when he learned that his son had had a rough time he took him with him.
At Nursery, too, Sis. Edgren stopped for a quick visit just before I left with Jeff. We told our substitute teachers not to hesitate to come to get us if Baby had a rough time. It was the first time he'd be left alone with complete strangers, without his parents and not in the care of a relative. Also, Jonah was no longer in the room with him.
We sat near near the door closest to Nursery. During the meeting Jeff went to check on Baby twice. He said he heard no crying. I also went a third time and was surprised to find that there was no crying. 5th Sunday meeting ended and we went to find our wee one. His teachers said that he was fine. They told us that he was "funny" because he had stumbled and fallen and he just lay there instead of getting back up.
We thanked our teen teachers and headed back to the chapel where we were able to see Heidi who had been visiting from Oregon.
Sis. Carol told Jeff and I that there are only a handful of children who attend Nursery, and it's rare for all the children to attend together. She mentioned the children who were there, and I was surprised that she hadn't mentioned Sis. Smith's daughter who is Baby's age. I would learn later that she moved back to her home state.
A father brought his son Jonah to Nursery, and he was the only other child there aside from Baby. Unfortunately, he cried most of that first hour. I felt terrible for him as he needed comfort and I even considered going to find one of his parents but I was afraid to leave Baby alone so I didn't volunteer to do that. For his part, Baby occupied himself playing with the assortment of toys they had there.
I learned from Sis. Carol that it was also 5th Sunday on this day. The adults would meet in the chapel again for the last hour of church and substitute "teachers" would arrive to replace Sis. Carol and our other Nursery teacher.
Jeff then appeared to find out how we were doing. He and Sis. Carol encouraged me to go with Jeff to 5th Sunday meeting and to leave Baby with his teen "substitute" teachers. Jonah's father had also come in to see how he was doing and when he learned that his son had had a rough time he took him with him.
At Nursery, too, Sis. Edgren stopped for a quick visit just before I left with Jeff. We told our substitute teachers not to hesitate to come to get us if Baby had a rough time. It was the first time he'd be left alone with complete strangers, without his parents and not in the care of a relative. Also, Jonah was no longer in the room with him.
We sat near near the door closest to Nursery. During the meeting Jeff went to check on Baby twice. He said he heard no crying. I also went a third time and was surprised to find that there was no crying. 5th Sunday meeting ended and we went to find our wee one. His teachers said that he was fine. They told us that he was "funny" because he had stumbled and fallen and he just lay there instead of getting back up.
We thanked our teen teachers and headed back to the chapel where we were able to see Heidi who had been visiting from Oregon.
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