Wednesday Addams

We got up around 7. I changed our wake up time. I love getting up early (other than the actual waking up part) but it's leaving me too tired. I changed Ruby's diaper around 4 am and she was so sad. 

Once we were up, we headed downstairs. I got Ruby all the way in a onsie and it wouldn't zip. She's growing! After I got her in a bigger one, I exercised while she did tummy time. I then ran a load of laundry and we settled in for our nurse and nap. 

Maggie eventually came downstairs and worked through her morning list. I had her brush her own hair and just went back over it after. I also had her empty the dryer, bring the clean clothes into the living room, and put away Ruby's diapers. 

When Ruby woke up, we went upstairs to get ready for the day. I had Maggie help make the bed and put away her clean clothes. Then we went back downstairs. I cleaned my boots (they got a bit muddy during our hike yesterday), cooked breakfast, and cleaned the kitchen. We read another African tale during breakfast. 

After breakfast we worked on getting together library books and movies. Then headed to the library. Maggie got some books and movies and we left for art class. Ruby slept in the moby while Maggie was in class. 

After art we came home and started school work. Then Grandmo arrived. 

We had a great visit that ended too soon. :)

Ruby Tuesday

We slept in a bit because Ruby was up a lot from 3-5 am. We all got up and went downstairs. Ruby did tummy time, Maggie played with Ruby, and I did yoga. I started a load of laundry and then settled on the couch for a morning nurse and nap. 

Maggie worked on her morning list. We added karate practice to the list. It's very cute. When Ruby woke up, we headed upstairs to get ready for the day. Then me and Ruby went downstairs to cook and clean the kitchen. 

During breakfast we read an African myth. Then we left for forest coop. We went on a long, hilly hike. It was awesome. After the hike we went to the playground. After playing for a while we left for Laurie's house. 

At Laurie's house, Ruby played in the exersaucer. 

Oh Lord Maggie and Ella fought and then played, and on and on. Ugh!

I found out I could buy a used Xbox for far less than I thought. I think I'll have Maggie save up a certain amount to help pay for it and then get it. I'm also going to have her pay for all of her games. 

I managed to get my week's reading done for another class. Ruby slept for a crazy long time. The big girls and I had dinner. Poor Jilli was having a hard time. Then the girls played outside for a bit before we left for gymnastics. 

Gymnastics was fun. Then we went home and pretty much went to bed. Maggie took a bath and Ruby nursed. Man, our Tuesday's are long. 

Monday, Monday

Sleep, glorious sleep! We definitely slept better last night. Hooray! Ruby and I were up at normal time. We did our usual tummy time and exercise. Then I made some all purpose cleaner wipes and cleaned out and washed the diaper bag. Then we settled for a nurse and nap but didn't get the nap part done. 

A little before 8 we went upstairs and woke up Maggie. I got dressed and ready while Maggie got dressed and brushed her teeth. Then I brushed Maggie's hair and we made the bed. We all went downstairs and I put Ruby in the moby and got her to sleep. Then I nagged Maggie through her morning list. Not like we do it every freaking morning or anything. I did this week's school work for one of my three classes. I hate school but I'm proud of myself. 

When Ruby woke up, we headed to the kitchen. I made breakfast and cleaned the kitchen. While we ate, we read about farming in ancient China. Ruby was past wanting to go back to sleep so as soon as I finished reading, I took her back to the living room to get her down. 

Once Ruby woke up, we started school work. Maggie got frustrated with putting a card in an envelope and went into a rage. I feel for her. While I've had a pretty good handle on my temper for about 10 years, I used to have quite the temper. It makes life very difficult. Ironically the only thing that can make me lose my temper these days is Maggie. I'm going to work on practicing some calming strategies. I've been having her meditate daily to help with that but I think we could also use some in the moment strategies. 

After we finished reading and writing, we had lunch and read about ancient Africa. Then Ruby wanted to nurse and nap. Once she was asleep, we did Maggie's math and started our first Kiwi crate. We made Pom Pom prizes. 

Just as I was telling Maggie to get ready for karate and she was giving her Pom Pom a trim, she cut her finger. She yelled oh I can't go to karate. Insert eye roll. We put a band aide on it but I got a long talk about how she'll just do her best. She told us stories the whole drive to karate. About kitties and puppies and an electric fence. 

We got to karate, where another kid was selling Girl Scout cookies. When did GS cookies become such a thing. I don't remember hearing anything about them until social media came along. I don't think I've ever even eaten them before. It's so funny. Maggie was thrilled. She said in karate instructor bob chased them with a bat and they had to fight him. Best description ever. She told me we need to practice at home. Ha!

It occurred to me that her birthday and Christmas are a long way away. I need to figure out what I'm going to do about the game console. I could get it for her now and just have it be her birthday present but that's so early. But I really want her to understand that big items like this don't just appear. Lots to think about. 

After we got home we ate dinner and just chilled out. I gave sweet Ruby a bath then headed upstairs, where Maggie took her bath. Today has been a really great day. 

Week in the Life: Sunday

I didn't post yesterday because we really didn't do much. I was so tired. I think maybe Ruby isn't sleeping as well as I thought. I have felt so tired the past few days and have fallen asleep before Maggie's bedtime. I think I'm going to move Maggie's bedtime earlier since Ruby usually sleeps for a couple of hours before we go to sleep. 

Today we woke up at normal time. Maggie started crying in her sleep so I woke her up to calm her down but she wanted to stay up. We all went downstairs. Ruby did tummy time, Maggie kinda played with her, and I exercised. After that we all settled on the couch for Ruby to nurse and nap. When she woke up we headed to the kitchen. Maggie sat at the table and drew, Ruby jumped in her bouncy seat, and I cooked breakfast and cleaned the kitchen. 

During breakfast we read about the first writing in ancient China. Then Ruby and I went back to the couch for nurse and nap. Maggie continued drawing. 

When Ruby woke up we headed upstairs and got ready for the day. Then we went to the grocery store. As soon as we got home, Ruby wanted to nurse and nap. Maggie finally finished her morning list. Then we started school work. 

After school work, I cooked a big batch of spaghetti and meat sauce. We ate lunch and talked. As soon as we finished we left for Mamaw's house. Mamaw, Aunt Susie, Gran Gene, Grandpa, Joann, and Ella were there. We had a very nice visit. Ruby loves people so she was happy and smiling and kicking her little feet. 

We left around 5 and came home. I started a big batch of chili. Yum!! Then Ruby and I settled on the couch for a nurse and nap. Once Ruby woke up, the chili still had to simmer for another 20 minutes so I put Ruby in her seat and cleaned the kitchen again. Once the chili was done, we ate it for dinner. Maggie and I talked about buying her a game console (PlayStation, Xbox). I told her they are very expensive and might have to be from multiple people and that she could use her savings to help pay for it. I looked into it before and just felt like it was too expensive when I wasn't sure she would like it. But she's played them at her friends' house and liked it. I'll have to do more research. 

After dinner we went upstairs. Maggie took a bath while I got ready for bed. I read Goodnight Moon and sang You are my Sunshine to Ruby. Then we went to sleep. 

Week in the Life: Friday

Ruby slept well last night. Thank the lord. We got up at normal time and Maggie got up too. Weird. We all came downstairs and Maggie did her morning list, Ruby did her tummy time, and I exercised. Then Maggie snacked and watched cartoons while Ruby and I did our morning nurse and nap. 

After a nice long nap for Ruby, we got up and headed to the kitchen. I had Maggie unload the dishwasher. This was met with... shock, disdain, and disapproval. "Why do I have to do your chores?" Hmmm... we're having lots of talks about how we're a family and we all have to contribute to keep our home and lives running smoothly. I've definitely not pushed this before. It is infinitely easier for me to empty the dishwasher, clean the kitchen, and so on. But she needs responsibilities and high expectations to meet. 

After she finished with the dishwasher, I cleaned the kitchen, prepped a green soup, and made breakfast. We read about the first cities in India while we ate. Then I put the soup on to cook and brought Ruby back to the living room for a nurse and nap. 

I had to start my spring semester today. Ugh. I hate school. 

Once my school work was done, we loaded up and headed out for swim lessons. We switched to Ella's teacher because the place we were going had horrible turnover. Maggie loved it and did quite well. We saw Ella and Grandpa there too. Maggie wanted to stay in the pool after class so we stayed until Ruby got a bit fussy. Once we got home I finished my soup and made Maggie berry oatmeal. 

After lunch we did school work and then did Maggie's cooking lesson. This week she made pink pancakes. It was pretty fun, although she didn't eat much of them but she tore them up and put syrup on all of them so they can't be eaten later. 

Ruby has been so sleepy and it's been difficult for me to get anything done so we had movie night instead of game night. Ruby kicks her little legs constantly when she's awake. It's quite cute. In bed, at night, while she's nursing she kicks one leg up until it's perpendicular to her body then slams it down, over and over. She cannot be still. It cracks me up. I had to adjust her diapers to a bigger size. She's getting so big. 

Week in the Life: Thursday

Ruby was super squirmy starting at about 3 am. Right before we usually get up for the day (6 am) she fell asleep so we stayed in bed and she was back up by 7. As soon as she woke up she pooped. I guess that was why she was so squirmy. 

We went downstairs and right as I was putting her down for tummy time she yawned and rubbed her sweet little eyes. So we skipped it and we went straight to nurse and nap. But before she could nap, she had another poo. Goodness. Finally she fell asleep. It's hard work being a baby. 

We went and woke up Maggie around 8:30. Maggie and I got ready then headed downstairs. Maggie finished her morning list while Ruby sat in her bouncy seat and I cooked breakfast, cleaned the kitchen, and swept and vacuumed the downstairs. 

We read an ancient Babylonian myth while we ate breakfast. Then we left for Liber. It was raining a little so, of course, traffic was ridiculous. When we got there, Maggie went straight to class while I sat with Ruby so she could nurse and nap. 

Maggie came out for lunch at noon and Grandpa and Ella joined us as well. The girls played with balloons and ran and played almost the entire time. Grandpa played with Ruby. We headed home about 1. At home, we mostly chilled (Ruby slept) until it was time to leave for piano. Maggie also had a second lunch. :)

Piano was nice. It's cold today and Ruby has been so sleepy. Then we came home and had dinner. We didn't read because Maggie told a story about three kittens. After dinner we've chilled. It's been a busy week. I have an alarm set on my phone for Maggie's bedtime which was especially good last night because I fell asleep before her bedtime. She was in the bath and I don't even remember calling her to bed. 

Week in the Life: Wednesday

We got up at normal time today, about 6. We came downstairs and Ruby had tummy time while I exercised. Then we settled in for our morning nurse and nap. 

I woke Maggie up at 8 and got ready while she worked on her morning list. I went downstairs, started the laundry, cleaned the kitchen, and made breakfast. We read about Babylon while eating breakfast. 

Then I finished getting ready and we headed out. We ran a couple of errands before going to Maggie's art class. Ruby and I sat in the lounge area and she nursed and napped. After she came out, I asked Maggie if she had fun and she said yes but she doesn't ever want to go again. Ugh. 

We came home, had lunch, and read about the Assyrians. We talked about the possible new planet that's past Neptune and ten times bigger than Earth. Then we took a quick break. After that we did school work which took forever. Ruby was fussy, she'd want to nurse then sleep. It was no fun. Then I scratched her poor little forehead with my watch. :(

Maggie wanted more chili for her snack (a success!). She got into her gi with no complaints. Woohoo! We went to the library first. We usually go in the morning but we had to move it back because of errands. We picked out some books and movies and she did a penguin craft. Next was karate. Afterward she told me she enjoyed class and maybe she would keep going. 

We came home and had dinner. Ruby fell asleep in the moby while I cooked. After dinner we watched Gnomeo and Juliet. Maggie asked for a second helping of spaghetti. Woohoo!

Richard came over around 7:30. Maggie and I were touching Ruby's toes to her face and she was belly laughing. It was so funny. Richard tried to record it but she stopped as soon as the camera came out. 

Both girls got a bath and we were done by 9:30. 

Week in the Life: Tuesday

I let Ruby sleep until she woke up on her own. After last night I was worried she might have a rough day but she woke up a few minutes after 7 and has been happy as can be. She had her morning tummy time while I exercised. After that I cleaned a little, ran a load of dishes, and we sat down to nurse. It took her a while to fall asleep but she was generally happy, just tired. 

Once she fell asleep, I worked on the girls' blog. I love their blog so much. Reading back over our adventures is one of my favorite things to do. Now that I figured out how to update it on my phone, I'll be updating a lot more. Because Ruby is almost always on me, using my computer is very difficult so I've been trying to figure out how to use my phone for just about everything I need. It's so convenient. 

She was still asleep when it was time to wake up Maggie. So I had to put off waking Maggie because Ruby will wake up if I move at all. I hate that--ooh I just had an idea. I'll try taking her upstairs for her morning nurse and nap. Then I can wake Maggie up, hopefully, without bothering Ruby. 

Maggie ended up waking up on her own. She was very slow moving. She took forever to get through her morning list. Once Ruby woke up, I put her in her bouncy seat, cooked breakfast, and cleaned the kitchen. 

We finally ate breakfast and read about Sumer. Then we got everything together and left for forest coop. When we got there, Maggie ran over and started playing. I walked over, with Ruby in the moby, and chatted with the other mothers. 

Maggie had been playing and swinging for about 15 minutes when she came over and said the back of her head hurt. She started crying and was so upset. I got scared and we left for Laurie's. As soon as we got here, I gave her ibuprofen and turned on Maleficent for the girls. 

Maggie felt much better. Then Laurie and Jilli came out and everyone had lunch. When Laurie went back in, I let the girls finish the movie. It was quite good. Then basically the girls played and fought and played and fought. 

When Laurie and Jilli came out again, we laid the babies together. 

They looked at each other!

I asked Maggie if she felt up to going to gymnastics and she said no because of the cartwheels (forward rolls). She said the new Miss Tammy might think she's bad at gymnastics. Ha! The new Miss Tammy. Although in all fairness, I don't know her name either. 

The girls had pizza for dinner and looked out the front windows for "interesting changes." Right now they are wrestling in the office/cat room. That should end well. 

The big girls continued to get up to no good until we left. Unfortunately Ruby cried most of the way home. When we got home, she nursed and napped while I ate a bit of chili and Maggie watched peppa pig. Now we're in bed. Ruby is mostly asleep. 

Class

We've started Maggie's classes back. We're trying karate again. She likes this class although she hates wearing her gi. I'm not sure how that will turn out. 

She's also taking gymnastics again. She has a new teacher, which is a little sad because Miss Tammy taught her since Maggie was 16 months old. This class is a full hour and a bit more serious. We'll see. 

She's also taking art, which she likes. We start back at piano this week and we're trying swim lessons again with the lady who teaches Ella. We've also returned to Liber school, which I love. 

Through Liber, our friend April told us about a coop she goes to called forest coop. It's a park in Fort Worth that has just woods and hills behind it. It is so much fun and so beautiful. Last week we made play dough. Maggie was a bit messy. 

You might notice Maggie wearing her Christmas pjs in a ton of pictures. Turns out, she loves them. She puts them on as soon as they are washed and dried. Lucky for her I do laundry every third day because of Ruby's diapers. 

I'm going to try to do a Week in the Life type thing. I think it will be so cool to look back over it some day. 

You can't really see but he's got his paw on her head. Although I think my cats are officially over her. She has a death grip and has gotten both of them to the point they yelled at her. They're too old for this sh!t. 

Bath time. She really loved this. She's so sweet. And look, rolls!

This was right after she rolled over for the first time. I didn't see it but Maggie did and I saw it the second time. 

Get in my mouth!

Cousin tummy time! I love how Ruby is always blurry cos she's never still. Also, doesn't Jilli look just like a baby Laurie? I know I only have seen pictures but she looks just like how I picture baby Laurie in my head. 

She is so hot I have to strip her down and she still gets sweaty. And it's January! I fear for August for my little heater.