At last

Well, we made it through the night with no throwing up- a first since Saturday. The kids had the weirdest virus (?) that caused the boys to wake up at 12:30am on the dot and throw up. Three nights in a row. But they were fine during the day. No fever and no signs of slowing down. After two nights we got serious and made everyone sleep with towels under their pillows...and we were pretty careful about what they ate for dinner, knowing we might see it again shortly.  But I'm happy to say that we all had a full night of sleep and I think things will return back to normal.

My 16-week appointment with the midwife was uneventful, except that it took her forever to find the heartbeat. Three tries and several nervous minutes- or was it hours? My ultrasound is in a few weeks, and I am  anxious to name this baby. I've felt so good this time that I often forget I am pregnant. I still look down at my belly sometimes and think, "Suck it in!" Of course, it all comes back to me when I'm getting up several times a night to tromp to the bathroom. Or if I try to roll over in bed. But most of my previous ailments have been non-existent this time. I have such a strong negative association with being pregnant (not my attitude, just my physical state) that it's hard for me to believe I could feel good and be pregnant at the same time.

School is going along swimmingly. The kids seem to love Saxon Math 1, and both are keeping pace. I've taught Saxon Math for the early years many times over (pre-marriage), so even though it was a little more expensive, I bought it used and I will use it for years to come. The Phonics Museum has been SUCH a pleasant surprise, but I will save that for another post. This was also purchased used, and I was expecting to sell it after this year, but I may change my mind before the used curriculum sale comes around. We are doing some poetry memorization, and then reading aloud for about 45 minutes to an hour. Usually some fact about what we read ends up on the timeline and the map. This week's book is on Blaise Pascal. I keep asking the kids if they want to stop and switch to something easier, but they are into it. It's taken a lot of improvising on my part because the vocabulary is way beyond them, but I guess that's good for me, too.

I tend to thrive on order and a good (reasonable) schedule, so despite the fact that between chores, school, exercise, and lunch I am busy until 1pm, I still find myself getting more done. I think I have to be more purposeful about my limited afternoon "free" time. Ha...free nothing. Free to do chores, organize winter clothes, etc. I've yet to work in "hobby time" for me, but I'm sure that will come as I get used to our new format. Or not...this may not be my season for hobbies. But all the winter clothes are sorted and ready to be worn on chilly days, so perhaps I could just call that my hobby for today.

Warning: I am having a hair crisis (again). You will hear about it tomorrow.

Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks:

Math- I'm delighting in the fact that it's still considered a fun part of school. I know it will not always be so!

Our time in Charlotte gave us a short (too short!!) visit with some dear friends.

Waffle breakfast, courtesy of Aunt Ashley. Such a sweet time with family.

 

For most of the summer, this is how my counter tops looked. The tomatoes and green beans are mostly finished, and the peppers make their appearance at a slower rate. I'm appreciating the seasons more than ever this year!