Layla fell asleep in her crib with no crying and no pacifier!! She slept from 9pm-8am with about 25 minutes of wake-time to eat. She fell back asleep after maybe 2 minutes of crying. What a glorious night! Now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it wasn't a fluke and will continue once school begins next week.
We've tried the "crying it out" method of falling asleep this week. Basically you go in after 3 minutes of crying and console & caress but don't pick up. You then wait 5 minutes, 7 minutes, 10 minutes...and then keep going back every 10 minutes. I think each new night you're supposed to wait a bit longer before going in the first time, but we kept it at 3 minutes. 7 minutes is the longest we've had to wait.
Wednesday night she cried for about 30 minutes. That was not fun AT ALL! However, I think this is very tame compared to stories I've heard from other parents.
Thursday night was about 20. Friday night 15ish. Saturday night was maybe 5 minutes. And last night was nothing!!!
We're still giving her a pacifier for naps during the day.
I might also add that I feel schedules are for the birds...not for babies! We have given up on a schedule...at least for the time being. I'm sure once school & daycare begin we'll see more of a consistent schedule emerge.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Ugh!
It's 5am and I've been up for 2.5 hours :-( Why is it that I can't sleep on nights Layla sleeps the best????
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Mighty Molly
The summer of 2002 I lived in Colorado with roughly 20 other college students from around the country. Although it was only 10 weeks, it was one of the sweetest seasons of my life. I grew more than I could have ever imagined both spiritually and personally that summer. There is a lot that has happened in my life since then that I can directly attribute to the trust I placed in God that summer.
One sweet woman I met that summer, Becca, has recently shown such faith and hope that I'm not sure I could show in a similar situation. Her precious daughter, Molly Ann, was born June 13 and went to be with her Heavenly Father a week later. Her story is truly inspiring.
I have found my own faith challenged through my dear friend. Would I continue to look up to God in awe and admiration? Would hope and love shine through or would anger and hatred emerge? Would my faith be strengthened or fall to the wayside? Could I look at it as a part of God's wonderful masterplan and share the love of Jesus Christ through it all? I would hope so...but I'm not sure.
I encourage you to read the reflections of Becca's parents. I pray that your faith is strenghtened and encouraged as you see God's love abound through Molly and her beautiful family. I have links posted in the top right corner if you would like to read more of Mighty Molly's story.
One sweet woman I met that summer, Becca, has recently shown such faith and hope that I'm not sure I could show in a similar situation. Her precious daughter, Molly Ann, was born June 13 and went to be with her Heavenly Father a week later. Her story is truly inspiring.
I have found my own faith challenged through my dear friend. Would I continue to look up to God in awe and admiration? Would hope and love shine through or would anger and hatred emerge? Would my faith be strengthened or fall to the wayside? Could I look at it as a part of God's wonderful masterplan and share the love of Jesus Christ through it all? I would hope so...but I'm not sure.
I encourage you to read the reflections of Becca's parents. I pray that your faith is strenghtened and encouraged as you see God's love abound through Molly and her beautiful family. I have links posted in the top right corner if you would like to read more of Mighty Molly's story.
Oh the frustrations!
In case you didn't know, back in June I went to an interview at a middle school and was offered a job. I was told I'd be teaching a mix of Literature and Grammar. However, a teacher currently employed there was trying to get on at a high school...and if that happened, I would be teaching Literature all year. This was what perked me up to the idea of a new school! I LOVE reading!! It was also helping me deal with the fact that I'll be enrolling Layla in daycare to teach. At least I'll be doing something I enjoy.
Anyway, I go in today only to find out that now I'm teaching Grammar all year! I was not a happy camper, to say the least! Basically, someone who was only on a temporary contract last year was given the position to teach Literature all year...what?!?!?! That was completely against what I was told at my interview.
While I was talking with the principal, she mentioned that she's still got hiring to do (b/c she was making small talk with me) and mentioned a 0.67 Grammar position. I thought about asking about it for a split second and didn't for a few reasons. So I left and met Jeremy out at the van in tears b/c I do NOT want to be teaching Grammar all year...I've done it before and it's simply boring!
We were headed home and to make a long story a little shorter, we turned back around so I could explain to the principal that I was passionate about Literature and wasn't looking for a Grammar-only position and that I was interested in the 0.67 position so I could be home a little sooner for Layla.
The principal told me the 0.67 position would typically be 8-1pm, but this one would be 10-3:15 because the students are in specials first thing in the morning. There would be a lunch in there, but no prep times. Knowing me, with no preps, I'd be getting in around 9:30 (maybe sooner) to work...so I really wouldn't be home that much more for Layla. And I'd be doing work during non-paid times. Plus I'd only get 0.67 benefits instead of full-time benefits. So I decided to stick with the position I have. However, the principal did tell me she's going to work so I can get 2 Literature classes. So I'm now hoping that I have 2 Lit and only 3 Grammar, instead of 5 Grammar classes. Better...but not what I have been looking forward to all summer (and told I would have). On top of that...they gave the new teacher the 2 GT classes (which always have better-behaved students!)!
Okay...enough of my grumbling. Hopefully going in and getting my classroom all setup and looking better than just a white room with no windows will help lift my spirits a little. Although I have a sneaking suspicion that this other lady they hired has a room with windows, bookshelves and cabinets!!! Oh wait...I said no more grumbling. I better stop....
Anyway, I go in today only to find out that now I'm teaching Grammar all year! I was not a happy camper, to say the least! Basically, someone who was only on a temporary contract last year was given the position to teach Literature all year...what?!?!?! That was completely against what I was told at my interview.
While I was talking with the principal, she mentioned that she's still got hiring to do (b/c she was making small talk with me) and mentioned a 0.67 Grammar position. I thought about asking about it for a split second and didn't for a few reasons. So I left and met Jeremy out at the van in tears b/c I do NOT want to be teaching Grammar all year...I've done it before and it's simply boring!
We were headed home and to make a long story a little shorter, we turned back around so I could explain to the principal that I was passionate about Literature and wasn't looking for a Grammar-only position and that I was interested in the 0.67 position so I could be home a little sooner for Layla.
The principal told me the 0.67 position would typically be 8-1pm, but this one would be 10-3:15 because the students are in specials first thing in the morning. There would be a lunch in there, but no prep times. Knowing me, with no preps, I'd be getting in around 9:30 (maybe sooner) to work...so I really wouldn't be home that much more for Layla. And I'd be doing work during non-paid times. Plus I'd only get 0.67 benefits instead of full-time benefits. So I decided to stick with the position I have. However, the principal did tell me she's going to work so I can get 2 Literature classes. So I'm now hoping that I have 2 Lit and only 3 Grammar, instead of 5 Grammar classes. Better...but not what I have been looking forward to all summer (and told I would have). On top of that...they gave the new teacher the 2 GT classes (which always have better-behaved students!)!
Okay...enough of my grumbling. Hopefully going in and getting my classroom all setup and looking better than just a white room with no windows will help lift my spirits a little. Although I have a sneaking suspicion that this other lady they hired has a room with windows, bookshelves and cabinets!!! Oh wait...I said no more grumbling. I better stop....
Monday, August 4, 2008
8.5 years is too long!
I just got back from my first swim practice in 8.5 years...and I am tired!! I have been looking forward to this for about a month now, and am glad the day finally arrived!
It's strange how I felt the moments before arriving. As I was driving to the pool my heart started racing! For someone who swam competitively for 12 years, this was a new sensation for me. The only time I would feel such anxiety was the moments before a race....never for practice!! How many people would be there? How fit would these people be? What level would I be at with the workouts created? What can I even handle in the pool anymore? There were so many unknowns!
Once I jumped into the water, all the fears went away. I forgot how comfortable I was in a pool. It truly is like "riding a bike" for me. The coach created a workout for me...after me explaining to him I had absolutely no idea what I could handle. We decided to see how I did tonight and tailor future workouts based on that. I feel I did pretty well...for not having a set workout in over 8 years...for not being in a pool to swim for well over a year (or two or three)...and for having a baby 5 months ago!
Saying I did pretty well does not at all mean I was stinkin' awesome! In fact, there were times I felt as slow as molasses!! Why in the world were my arms not pulling me through the water any faster???? Oh yeah...because I have lost all muscle mass I used to have!! And my shoulder definitely suffered the consequences of that tonight. Although I want to get in as much as I can before school begins, I'm glad that time won't allow me this week simply because I feel my body needs a bit more time to recover. I don't want to go all out for a few days and then hurt so bad I never go back! I have to remember, this is a marathon, not a race. Getting back into shape (or just better shape than what I'm in now) is my goal...not seeing the times I had in high school.
As I was leaving the coach was telling me about Masters Swim Meets. I think by next summer I would like to have competed in at least one. How exciting to feel the rush of competition again!! I just have to clear from my mind how fast I used to be and start fresh with new times and new goals. But right now my goal & focus is practicing twice a week to build my endurance and better my health for my daughter.
It's strange how I felt the moments before arriving. As I was driving to the pool my heart started racing! For someone who swam competitively for 12 years, this was a new sensation for me. The only time I would feel such anxiety was the moments before a race....never for practice!! How many people would be there? How fit would these people be? What level would I be at with the workouts created? What can I even handle in the pool anymore? There were so many unknowns!
Once I jumped into the water, all the fears went away. I forgot how comfortable I was in a pool. It truly is like "riding a bike" for me. The coach created a workout for me...after me explaining to him I had absolutely no idea what I could handle. We decided to see how I did tonight and tailor future workouts based on that. I feel I did pretty well...for not having a set workout in over 8 years...for not being in a pool to swim for well over a year (or two or three)...and for having a baby 5 months ago!
Saying I did pretty well does not at all mean I was stinkin' awesome! In fact, there were times I felt as slow as molasses!! Why in the world were my arms not pulling me through the water any faster???? Oh yeah...because I have lost all muscle mass I used to have!! And my shoulder definitely suffered the consequences of that tonight. Although I want to get in as much as I can before school begins, I'm glad that time won't allow me this week simply because I feel my body needs a bit more time to recover. I don't want to go all out for a few days and then hurt so bad I never go back! I have to remember, this is a marathon, not a race. Getting back into shape (or just better shape than what I'm in now) is my goal...not seeing the times I had in high school.
As I was leaving the coach was telling me about Masters Swim Meets. I think by next summer I would like to have competed in at least one. How exciting to feel the rush of competition again!! I just have to clear from my mind how fast I used to be and start fresh with new times and new goals. But right now my goal & focus is practicing twice a week to build my endurance and better my health for my daughter.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Crossed fingers
We are officially beginning our attempt to get Layla on a schedule. We've got 2 weeks before school starts...hopefully that's enough time!
Layla has been a grump all day! I have a suspicion it's because she's teething. This may throw off our attempts at a normal schedule. She was not to keen on napping or eating today. Ugh!
Layla has been a grump all day! I have a suspicion it's because she's teething. This may throw off our attempts at a normal schedule. She was not to keen on napping or eating today. Ugh!
Speaking of eating, we introduced Layla to real food for the first time today. Since her 4 month appointment we've been sporadically feeding her rice cereal. Today we tried carrots! We're all about making our own baby food, so Jeremy went out and bought some organic carrots. We steamed them then blended them up in our Magic Bullet with a bit of water. She didn't mind them at all!! She took them better than she was milk from a bottle (which is another thing we've got to get down these next 2 weeks). I think tomorrow we'll add milk to the carrots instead of water.
We had fun!
I'm also putting myself on a schedule. I'm getting up at 6:45 each morning this week and 5:30 next week. This is a big change from being off work for 5 months and waking up whenever I wanted!!
I'm going to swim practice as much as possible these next 2 weeks, too, since I'll only be going twice a week (max) once school starts. I'm sure I'll be extremely sore...but I have to muscle through it!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Daycare & Swimming
Well I said I'd follow up with the other 2 topics that were keeping me up Wednesday night so here it goes...
Topic 2 - enrolling Layla part-time vs. full-time in daycare
Like I mentioned previously, we found a daycare that we really like. However, being teachers, there are many days throughout the year that we will not be utilizing their services (not to mention summer). Obviously this lady has her business to run and maintain and she requires payments each week based upon how your child is enrolled. So if we enroll Layla full-time then the 2 weeks of Christmas break and the week of Spring Break we'd be paying for nothing. If we enroll her part-time (3 days/week), we'd only be paying for 3 days of non-use instead of 5. Make sense? And the cost to reserve her spot over the summer for the following year would also be cheaper because it's based on how she was enrolled that fall/spring. So we'd be saving money all around to enroll her only 3 days/week rather than 5.
We asked around our church and found a lady who would watch her on Mondays and Fridays. Perfect! Mondays and Fridays are always the days we have off for holidays during the school year. So we wouldn't be paying the daycare or her on days we would be keeping Layla.
But Wednesday night I started second guessing this decision. It seems to be more of a hassle to have 2 locations for daycare. And after figuring how much we'd be saving, it seems more miniscule than I originally thought. Every penny counts, don't get me wrong! I guess it's more of a convenience thing. There's also the problem that occurs if the lady were to get sick and we couldn't find someone else to watch Layla for the day.
So in the end, I think I'm going to be enrolling Layla full-time and explaining everything to the lady who was planning on watching her.
Topic 3 - Masters Swimming
For those of you who don't know, I was a competitive swimmer for 12 years. I have always loved swimming and believe it to be the best form of excersie. I attempted (pretty miserably) in college to continue swimming on my own. Now 8 years after high school and 1 child later I am in the worst shape of my life! I have found that phrase to be a re-occuring one as the years have gone by. I would hate to see what I look like in another 8 if this keeps up!
But hope is around the corner! When I was roughly 6 months pregnant I came across some information about a Masters Swimming progam with the local swim team. It sounds more elite than it actually is. Basically it's anyone over 18 who wants to swim in an organized fashion (i.e. coach w/ workouts). However, being 6 months pregnant I was NOT fitting into any of my old suits. I emailed the man in charge and told him I was very interested but couldn't quite start at the time.
A few months later my precious Layla was born and I completely forgot about the program. Then one day, a few weeks ago, I received an email asking how my baby was and letting me know that they were still in full swing with the Masters Swimming! I quickly ordered some suits seeing as I only have 2 left from high school. Although I can still fit in them b/c they are beyond worn and used, I would rather start fresh....and I'm done with layering my suits just to practice. Okay, worn and used is a pretty lame way to describe these suits. The elastic is hard and cracking...they are thin and see-through...if you can picture the most pathetic suit you have ever seen just multiply that by 10 and you've got my suits. They were good to me through college...but if I'm going to get serious about swimming again...and be in the presence of a coach...I would like to look a bit more put together :-)
I just became a member of USA Masters and am excited to head to the pool Monday evening to register with the team and get started!
The suits arrived today and I think before I go to bed I'm going to try them on to see how they fit!!
I mentioned in my last blog that this topic ulitmately led back to Topic 1. I figured that I'll be spending roughly 4 hours with Layla a day when I have to go back to work. That will be slightly shortened because of swimming. So that night I was really questioning getting started with it. But after much thought, I decided to go ahead and join. I'll only be swimming 2 times a week. One week night and Saturday morning. I'm sure I'll drag my feet b/c I'll want to be with my sweet Layla...but the long-term benefits of doing this are enormous! She's soon going to be all over the place and I need to build up my stamina so I can play with her...I don't want to be a mom who can't play all day with her child b/c I've been a bum for 4 years! Sheesh...I've had my 2.5 year old nephew for just one day and I'm already worn out!! That's made me question exactly when we want to have our second child...but that's another post. :-)
So there it is...everything that kept me up until 5:30 am Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
*I would appreciate encouragement with this swimming thing. Just keep on me by asking me how it's going. I know the more people who hold me accountable, the more likely I'll be to stick with it.
**On a side note...I have found that I now think about things as topics to blog about instead of just thinking. Something will pop into my head and I'll begin thinking about how it would read in a blog. Does that mean I'm already addicted? I have at least 4 topics on hold already....
***I also promise that not all my posts will be this lengthy!
Topic 2 - enrolling Layla part-time vs. full-time in daycare
Like I mentioned previously, we found a daycare that we really like. However, being teachers, there are many days throughout the year that we will not be utilizing their services (not to mention summer). Obviously this lady has her business to run and maintain and she requires payments each week based upon how your child is enrolled. So if we enroll Layla full-time then the 2 weeks of Christmas break and the week of Spring Break we'd be paying for nothing. If we enroll her part-time (3 days/week), we'd only be paying for 3 days of non-use instead of 5. Make sense? And the cost to reserve her spot over the summer for the following year would also be cheaper because it's based on how she was enrolled that fall/spring. So we'd be saving money all around to enroll her only 3 days/week rather than 5.
We asked around our church and found a lady who would watch her on Mondays and Fridays. Perfect! Mondays and Fridays are always the days we have off for holidays during the school year. So we wouldn't be paying the daycare or her on days we would be keeping Layla.
But Wednesday night I started second guessing this decision. It seems to be more of a hassle to have 2 locations for daycare. And after figuring how much we'd be saving, it seems more miniscule than I originally thought. Every penny counts, don't get me wrong! I guess it's more of a convenience thing. There's also the problem that occurs if the lady were to get sick and we couldn't find someone else to watch Layla for the day.
So in the end, I think I'm going to be enrolling Layla full-time and explaining everything to the lady who was planning on watching her.
Topic 3 - Masters Swimming
For those of you who don't know, I was a competitive swimmer for 12 years. I have always loved swimming and believe it to be the best form of excersie. I attempted (pretty miserably) in college to continue swimming on my own. Now 8 years after high school and 1 child later I am in the worst shape of my life! I have found that phrase to be a re-occuring one as the years have gone by. I would hate to see what I look like in another 8 if this keeps up!
But hope is around the corner! When I was roughly 6 months pregnant I came across some information about a Masters Swimming progam with the local swim team. It sounds more elite than it actually is. Basically it's anyone over 18 who wants to swim in an organized fashion (i.e. coach w/ workouts). However, being 6 months pregnant I was NOT fitting into any of my old suits. I emailed the man in charge and told him I was very interested but couldn't quite start at the time.
A few months later my precious Layla was born and I completely forgot about the program. Then one day, a few weeks ago, I received an email asking how my baby was and letting me know that they were still in full swing with the Masters Swimming! I quickly ordered some suits seeing as I only have 2 left from high school. Although I can still fit in them b/c they are beyond worn and used, I would rather start fresh....and I'm done with layering my suits just to practice. Okay, worn and used is a pretty lame way to describe these suits. The elastic is hard and cracking...they are thin and see-through...if you can picture the most pathetic suit you have ever seen just multiply that by 10 and you've got my suits. They were good to me through college...but if I'm going to get serious about swimming again...and be in the presence of a coach...I would like to look a bit more put together :-)
I just became a member of USA Masters and am excited to head to the pool Monday evening to register with the team and get started!
The suits arrived today and I think before I go to bed I'm going to try them on to see how they fit!!
I mentioned in my last blog that this topic ulitmately led back to Topic 1. I figured that I'll be spending roughly 4 hours with Layla a day when I have to go back to work. That will be slightly shortened because of swimming. So that night I was really questioning getting started with it. But after much thought, I decided to go ahead and join. I'll only be swimming 2 times a week. One week night and Saturday morning. I'm sure I'll drag my feet b/c I'll want to be with my sweet Layla...but the long-term benefits of doing this are enormous! She's soon going to be all over the place and I need to build up my stamina so I can play with her...I don't want to be a mom who can't play all day with her child b/c I've been a bum for 4 years! Sheesh...I've had my 2.5 year old nephew for just one day and I'm already worn out!! That's made me question exactly when we want to have our second child...but that's another post. :-)
So there it is...everything that kept me up until 5:30 am Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
*I would appreciate encouragement with this swimming thing. Just keep on me by asking me how it's going. I know the more people who hold me accountable, the more likely I'll be to stick with it.
**On a side note...I have found that I now think about things as topics to blog about instead of just thinking. Something will pop into my head and I'll begin thinking about how it would read in a blog. Does that mean I'm already addicted? I have at least 4 topics on hold already....
***I also promise that not all my posts will be this lengthy!
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