Father's Day and More

Last year Greg made me a Mother's Day video so this year I made him one of what Creighton has been up to. His energy still amazes me... and I truly don't know how Greg and I keep up some days.  We have hit the toddler phase of testing boundaries and throwing wonderful tantrums. Along with this age is also a fantastic curiosity that makes each day full of endless discoveries which has been really fun to participate in and watch.  One morning Greg and Crate woke me up because Crate was so excited to show me his bug. I looked over and he is holding a massive beetle beaming with joy....I cringed but to him it was the best thing ever. It's the little things at this age dirt, rocks, sticks, bugs, bubbles.....

We moved into a bigger home at the end of May, it has been nice to have an extra guest bedroom and play room. We have great big trees in the front and back, which has been the only way we can enjoy being outside in this heat.

I accepted a position as an elementary School Nurse starting late August. This is a perfect fit for our needs. The hours are great and I still get to work in pediatrics. I am enjoying getting to stay a home for a few more months over the summer.

We are less than a week away from Greg finishing Intern year and starting Radiology which is a huge step in this process. We are very much looking forward to this coming year... (In residency July always marks the start of a new year).... So Happy New Year!

Where did my baby go?

We have a toddler! Not to sound cliche and like every other parent, but where did this year go? Where is my baby?! There were times when I was wanting Crate to be older to get through some of our rougher months, but now that I see him so big I want everything to slow down. My baby is gone. He is walking, saying a few words/sounds, has a big boy hair cut, and he is doing something new everyday that shows me just how much he understands the world around him.

Here are some of my favorite things he can do:
He "woofs" when he hears or sees a dog. Now any animal he sees he woofs. I would count woof as his first word.
Sometimes he says dada and mama and mean it, but other times I think he's just babbling...
He points to his ear and looks at you every time he hears a plane. Which by our house is about every 30 minutes. Then he runs to the window to see if we can spot it in the sky. If we can his smile gets so big.
He can sign "All done" which he does for just about anything he doesn't want to do anymore or is finished with.... He also signs "milk" which he does sometimes when he wants to nurse or just wants attention...he knows I will pick him up...
He gives hugs and kisses which melt my heart
He loves to build blocks....we do this at least 10 times a day
He loves to pretend vacuum, wish it really worked!





Reflecting on this year makes me realize just how hard and rewarding being a parent can be. Again not to go on like every other parent before me....but it really IS a never ending job. This is something you just can't prepare for you just have to eventually adjust. And I am not sure you really ever fully adjust. Right when I think I have something figured out, it all changes.

Some wisdom I have learned is to trust myself and my instincts more. I have wasted (and at times still do) so much time wondering why my baby doesn't sleep likes the books say he should, or eat and nurse like the books say, or really anything. He does it his way and I am learning to trust that I can parent my way. And when's it's not working we keep trying until we figure it out.... which eventually always happens.

Other family news.... we have lived back in Texas for a year. We enjoy being so close to family and the abundance of great Tex Mex and BBQ. Having lived in Texas my entire life I wasn't expecting to have to adjust back to Texas weather. I use to feel like we had some resemblance of seasons in Texas, but my perspective has changed. It is just hot and hotter, with a few weeks of cool. I guess I use to not mind the hot weather, but now I am hot all the time! But I also don't want to go outside if it's below 60, it's too cold... whereas that use to be a warm day in Brooklyn.

Greg is over half way done with his Intern year. While the hours are still long and stressful, he has settled into his new job and is doing very well. I get to stay at home with Creighton a little bit longer than expected, at least until July...which is so nice. Then it will be back to work for me and daycare for Crate. But for now we are enjoying our lazy mornings...which start at 5 am! And our fun filled days outside and at playdates.