Time OUT

Right now my baby is crying outside the bedroom door. More like screaming. Earlier today she was hitting me on the face repeatedly. After telling her no once, explaining that we don't hit, and helping her be soft, she went to "time out." Just now she was scratching my arms with her fingernails, and we repeated the scene. What a joy that we're in this stage already. Yipee! Maybe that means we'll get out of it sooner.
Pardon me while I go hug my little darling...

...I'm back, and to her credit she is very tired. We've been playing very hard lately, and are down to one nap most days.

Just to catch up: had a midwife appt this week and it went well. I still don't know if they are the people I want to bring my baby into this world, but oh well. Oh, and people (the mysterious "people" who somehow know everything about how your pregnancy will be) will tell you that you should show a lot sooner with the 2nd: it isn't true for me at least. Right now I just look like like I should cut back on the chocolate and switch to skim. We will hopefully find out the baby's gender on April 21, which is when we'll have the ultrasound. By the way: if anyone has summer maternity clothes they would be willing to let me borrow, will you let me know? I have a pair of jeans and a few tshirts, but other than that, everything is for Winter. Thanks!

School seems to be going well for Stuart. We're almost done, just 5 more weeks. He'll probably be busy the next few weeks with projects and papers, but then we'll have him home a little more, at least for a few months!

Not to brag about Alana, but she is a genius. She says so many words. I think she'll be reading before she's 2. Just kidding, but there actually are programs out there to teach babies to read. I personally think it's ridiculous, flashcards are NOT for babies. And studies have shown that reading early doesn't necessarily help kids in the long run. In fact, if your child is too smart they are just as likely to have problems in a public school as kids who are behind. Why? Because they'll be bored out of their minds. Not that public school is the best option for everyone, but that's just my little soapbox. Back to Alana: she's as cute as ever, and as you probably noticed, developing a little attitude. Her night sleeping finally got back to normal, and she hasn't woken us up before about 5 am all week! (I know, you're thinking how lucky we are that we get to sleep until 5 or later most mornings. What can I say, we live a charmed life!)

I am desperately trying to prepare my orchestra students for the upcoming District Elementary orchestra Festival in 2.5 weeks. We don't have much time to prepare the music, and it is difficult for beginners. Combine that with the fact that so many students don't show up to rehearsel and the fact that I'm super extra grumpy when I'm pregnant (multiply my normal grumpiness level by 13...I know!) and it makes for one unpleasant orchestra class. Surprisingly, the days that Alana wakes us up early and I actually get ready are much more pleasant than the days I roll out of bed, dress, and choke down some carnation Instant breakfast before heading out. Too bad I have no will power for waking without the motivation of a crying baby.

Anyway, that has been our lives the last few weeks. Feel free to leave a comment to tell me how delightfully witty I am. Just kidding. But if any of this post seemed sardonic or whiny, then it that part was a joke. :)