Tomorrow

I am sitting at the hotel with my dad and Vincente - tomorrow morning at about 6:30am we will drive to the gate of Fort Leonard Wood, MO and probably wait in  line a while and then... at 8:00am.... WE GET TO SEE RUSS!!!

And the hotel has a nice pool, but we didn't bring swim suits. I don't know if Wal Mart will have any swimsuits, but we can go buy something that is swimsuit-ish (some shorts, a tank top, etc), and swimmy diapers for Vince (hopefully). So maybe tomorrow we will go swimming with Papai (while my dad is golfing ;) ) Hooray for seeing Russ!! I just can't wait! This is the moment I've been waiting for since I drove away from the Radisson hotel when we left Russ there to be shipped to BCT. 

And it's going to go by so fast, I know it. But in just two weeks from today I'll get to see him AGAIN for Thanksgiving!! So it won't be too bad. 

I'll probably post pictures of the graduation tomorrow (and the sex of the baby, most likely).

Almost Free!!

I wasn't going to post again until I was in Arkansas, but I've been able to get so much done this weekend I thought I would post a little quickie before I go to bed.

I took a Physics test, did math and Physics homework, wrote a 10 page (well, about 8 1/2 pages) research paper, and studied for a Religion test. 

Yes, I'd say a very productive weekend!! Mostly in anticipation of seeing Russ this week. I don't want to leave here having a lot hanging over my head when I get back. The status right now is looking like pretty much blissful freedom for my entire WEEK LONG vacation (which, have I mentioned, I completely deserve!!)

We leave early Tuesday morning, and I haven't even started packing yet (I've got to get a few things from the storage unit tomorrow). 

Wish us luck!!

(PS Keep checking for the gender of our new baby!! It will probably be sometime Thursday night - Friday night this week!!!!!)

busy bees

I have been really busy trying to get everything finished for school so I can be ready to go on my TRIP TO ARKANSAS!!! We leave early Tuesday morning. Today I took a Physics test. I've never been so excited to get a 65% on a test 8-o

I have a 10 pg research paper due on Monday, and I have to take a religion test the same day. This weekend is full of Temple sealings (some friends in our ward), BYU football, and ward choir! Then it's back to school for one day before I'm OFF TO SEE MY HUBBY!!! Can you tell I'm excited?

Anyway, I'm writing this post from the kiosk outside my English classroom (about 20 min til class) and I've almost used up all my time. I just wanted to post something quick, in case you don't hear from me for a few days. I didn't disappear... I'm just getting ready for VACATION! :D

Drumroll please...

And the baby is....

Okay, I'm not telling you yet. Russ has to be the first to know (besides me and the midwives and ultrasound technician, of course :-p )

One week from Friday is the very lastest the news will be official!

They got a new ultrasound machine at my clinic, and the pictures were so much better this time! With Vincente, I couldn't tell what anything was, and it was really hard to see anything. This time, I could see all the parts of the baby before the tech even started talking about it. Its little arms... it kept moving them up to its face, and every now and then would move around so I could see AND feel the baby moving! Now THAT was cool. And then the tech took a few 3-D pictures of baby's profile (because she couldn't get the baby to turn profile with the 2-D ultrasound). Of course, baby's face was still really scrawny (it only weighs something like 13 oz!!) but it was SOOO cute. I'll update this post with pictures of the profile once I get them scanned. Cute cute cute. I could really see EVERYTHING. Baby was so cute and looked so comfy all snuggled up in my uterus. Made me want to find a uterus to sit in for a while!

I bet I can even post the entire DVD of the ultrasound once Russ has seen it. I'll have to have my dad help me put it on the computer.

It was a really great experience. It was like I was meeting my baby, sort of. Weird that it was a different feeling than when I had my ultrasound with Vincente. I wonder if it's just my emotions are crazier this time, or if the newer machine really made a difference.

Oh, and my placenta is on the front of my uterus, so that's probably why I wasn't able to feel the baby move earlier (I only started feeling the baby move a few weeks ago, and I'm already 22 weeks!)

So there is the pre-gender review of the ultrasound. Stay tuned for the gender!! To be disclosed in at most one week!!

Internet!

I didn't realize how addicted I have become to the internet until we were without internet (and phone?) for nearly the entire day!! What made it worse is that I stayed home with Vincente today, so I didn't even have school to distract me. It was really hard to find things to do, but mostly I played with Vincente. He's still really in the stage where he likes to play by himself more than with other people, so he doesn't really need me to entertain him the whole day (which is nice, usually!)

I did get a little bit of journal time in, and had time to just meditate and things, which was nice. But I was sure restless. I've been very restless the past few days... waiting to see Russ. It's the only thing I want right now, but I know there are things I have to do in the meantime - school, take care of myself, Baby #2, and Vincente, etc... but man I just wish I could be WITH HIM! My heart aches for him. My whole body aches for him sometimes... okay, I'm going to stop. If I keep talking about it I'll probably start crying - and I've been so good for the past few days!

Just about a week... I can do it! One day at a time. And tomorrow is my ultrasound!! :D Unfortunately for all of you, no one will find out until probably Friday, Nov. 14 (the day after I see Russ). Theoretically you could find out on the 13th, but there are a few people who I have to tell in person (my folks, my sister, etc) and THEN I can publicly display the gender of Baby #2 for the world to see!! So, if I get to tell everyone Thursday night (i.e. everyone answers their phones) and I have internet access, it will be public knowledge that night!! So, keep watching ;)

The Graduated List

I moved this list from a previous post because I decided that I wanted to be able to add to it, and the previous post wasn't as date-generic. So here is the list:

This is a list of all the things I want to do once I graduate:

• make lesson plans for homeschooling from pre-K to 6th grade (in progress)
• learn Mendolssohn's concerto in E minor
• scrapbook the rest of the pictures and scrapbook stuff I have (in progress - I'm actually scanning all my paper scrapbook stuff to do digital scrapbooks instead)
• perfect my homemade roll recipe
• learn how to make a homemade cake (from scratch) (DONE)
  
• work on my website
• work on the Werner line - make a "Werner" Family History website (in progress)
• make Java games for kids
• qualify for all Suzuki Teacher training (by sending in audition tape of Mozart concerto)
• complete Suzuki Teacher Training Books 1-2 (at least)
• workout every day (DONE! Well, you know, I do the best I can with two kids - but I work out a LOT more than I used to!)
  
• take gutar lessons
• scan all the rest of our random paper stuff and organize it on our computer (in progress - all I have left is a bunch of letters - but they're all in storage right now, so this will have to wait until the fall/next year)
• start digital scrapbooking (in progress)
• make homemade whole wheat bread

Things I want to do every day with my kids:

• play outside (football, soccer, ride bikes, etc etc) (DOING!)
• sing silly songs (DOING!)
• cook (breakfast, lunch, dinner) (LOVE DOING THIS!)
• play instruments (DOING!)
• READ! (DOING!)

Just making this list makes me want to be done with school already!!

(updated May 30, 2010)

one week

I leave for Arkansas in one week from tomorrow. I'm getting super excited. It's going to be nice to have a little break from school and Utah. Not that I'm not enjoying myself here, but I'm just ready for a change. Some new sights. And of course, I'm way ready to see Russ...

... the countdown continues.

voting = free? Not for me

Yes, so... I'm going to pay $30 to vote this year. It's due to my lack of advance planning and not requesting my absentee ballot until the very last day possible... so I got my absentee ballot today, and it's due in the clerk's office by 7:30pm tomorrow (Tuesday, election day). And that means that I have to FedEx it. The cheapest rate is about $30 - and that's getting it there at 3:00pm.

I should have been more responsible. But at least I get to vote. Now off to the FedEx place in SF to send off my absentee ballot!!

Feeling It

Today I suddenly felt something overwhelming hit me ... I am a military wife. I am the wife of a soldier. 

I talked to Russ today, and our brief phone call was frequently interrupted by him responding to some question from a Drill Sergeant, or barking instructions to a fellow private. Finally I asked him why he was sounding so important. He said he's been a Platoon guide for the past week or so, which sounds like it suits him fine!

And then he started talking about doing ROTC while he's enrolled in a masters program somewhere (probably doing something useful like International Relations, etc). He'll probably end up stretching out the masters program over four-five years so he can be a "stay-at-home" dad while I work five years to "pay off" (i.e. have forgiven) my student loans. When he started talking about the ROTC bit, I have to admit I got really excited. That means he probably wants to stay in the military. Which means several things 1.) He enjoyed Basic Training 2.) He realizes that he has a lot of potential serving in the military 3.) I am going to be an Army wife!!

I'm actually really excited about it. Mostly because knowing that Russ really does want to do the Army means that we now have a life-long career. Or at the very least, 20 years, because after that you're eligbile for retirement. 

Hooray! Russ has never talked this seriously about anything career related. He's always either thought he couldn't be sure about his career options, or he didn't really know what he wanted to do. Now he knows. Drive is good.

a super saturday

What a fabulous time. I went to our ward Relief Society super Saturday. It was great to just get away and spend some relaxed time with the sisters in my ward. I love hanging out with them. I've been feeling really horrible lately (missing Russ and everything) so it was nice to get out with a bunch of married sisters - without having husbands around. It's rough, being the only person without a husband.

Anyway, I made some I Spy games - little pouches of beady things and a bunch of random knick-knacks for little kids to find. I made one in a girl pattern and one in a boy pattern, even though they have the same stuff inside. They're actually pretty cool. I was going to make one on my own, so I would know how to make them, but there was so much going on, I ended up just filling two pre-made ones. I'm sure I could figure out the basic design pretty easily. There are a lot of fun little things inside to "spy" - a turtle, a monkey, a fish, a car, a lady bug, a clothes pin, a noodle, a penny, a dime, a rattle, a baby, etc. It's a nice quiet toy for sacrament meeting :)

I also made some magnets for Vincente. I forgot that I was supposed to bring pictures to glue on the magnets if I wanted to, so on my way out the door I grabbed some brightly colored paper and decided I would make Vince his name in magnets. I had two extra magnets, hence the car and the train. After I made the car and train I kind of wished that I had just made little cars, trains, boats, helicopters, etc for him. But having his name will be kind of fun for him, too. Those were really easy to make as well.

As usual, visiting with the sisters was the best part. I discovered there is another military family in our ward. One sister's husband is in the National Guard as well! I think they moved into the ward after Russ left to Basic. Her husband works full time for the Guard, but it was really nice to talk to her. Her husband actually went to BCT at Ft Leonard Wood! Crazy, I know. Anyway, I also talked to the sister of one of the girls in our ward. Her husband is in MI (military intelligence) as well and just got finished learning Chinese at the DLI in California. Heh, I wanted to talk to her a little bit about things, but it ended up that I know as much (if not more) about the military, and being a military wife, than she does. I'm just the kind of person who likes to know everything I possible can about something I'm going to be involved in. When Russ enlisted, I looked EVERYWHERE for information about where we would be living, what Basic would be like, what AIT would be like, what the DLI would be like, etc. So far I haven't been surprised at anything, which is nice. Of course, it's only been basic training, so we'll see how things go at AIT.

Anyway, so it was a great day. Vincente had a blast playing with a bunch of other kids in the nursery room while I had a great time visiting with my friends and enjoyed being crafty and stuff. Lunch was great, too. I made a chicken casserole which actually turned out really well. I think it was probably my second or third time ever making a casserole. Oh, and I went to a bread-making class, during which I got to sample some DELICIOUS bread and get a few new tips on making bread. I still need to learn how to make a good loaf of wheat bread. I'll probably just have to experiment. Christy made some a while back, and it was pretty good, so I'll have to get her recipe and start from there.

Life is good. I still miss Russ. A lot. But as long as I keep myself distracted, I'm okay.

just my musings

Okay, I kept wanting to write little extras in my halloween post, but to spare those who don't want to read my random, sometimes depressing thoughts, they are being relocated to their own post.

I am glad Halloween is over. Last year I enjoyed it. That's probably because last year I had a husband to share it with (and who did pretty much everything, other than the actual making of Vincente's costume). So yeah... I hate doing holidays as a single mom. 

And I hate being alone. I miss Russ. He's my best friend in the world, and without him around to talk to, life is really lonely. No one else can really take his place. Talking to other people is great, but talking to Russ is irreplaceable. It's as if I know that whatever I say to him will stick in his heart (even though he may not remember it). He and I are connected for eternity. We're not connected to anyone else in the world the way we're connected to ourselves. Not to our parents, not to our kids. Our parents have their spouses, and eventually we hope our children will find spouses. So I miss being close to the person I'm closest to, if that makes sense.

And in just over a week, I'll get to be with him again! Even if it is only for a few hours. I miss him so much. Having your best friend be more than a phone call away is hard. There have been countless times (especially lately) where I just wanted to pick up my phone and call him to chat for a few minutes, or text him. The last time we were this "permenantly" away from each other was when I went home to Arkansas the summer before we got engaged. But I got to talk to him almost every single night! It was fabulous! And we don't even have that, so it's really hard for me.

I miss him soooooo much.

Halloween 2008

Our Halloween festivities this year began on Wednesday night, carving pumpkins with the Rowley clan. Our pumpkins turned out pretty good, but I didn't get any pictures. They got wrinkled and old looking before Halloween night, and we got back really late from our partying tonight, so I decided not to take any pictures. They looked cute enough, but there will be many more years of carving pumpkins, so we'll get more pictures then. Vincente wasn't really into the carving thing anyway. He hasn't been feeling very well, so all the partying and to-do has made him more ornery than excited. As you can see from these pictures, he didn't really like the idea of sticking his hand in the gooey pumpkin. He was mostly okay with observing until Brady "helped" him stick his hand in the pumpkin. Then he decided he'd had it with Halloween and wanted to go to bed. Oh well. I'm sure he'll get into it more the older he gets. I don't think he really understands the dressing up and excitement, so it's just confusing for him.

Festivities continued Thursday night at the BYU Alumni party for BYU students, faculty, and alumni's children. There was story-telling, all sorts of carnival-like games (complete with candy prizes), a bounce house, coloring, popcorn, jesters, and of course a costume parade and contest. Vincente was mostly only interested in the candy, popcorn, and of course

the bounce house (although I didn't think to get pictures of him in the bounce house - mostly because he held my hand the whole time!). He got some candy, and caught a fish. Vince has been getting over some bug or other, and so I had given him Tylenol right before we went, which put him in a good mood, but made him a little lethargic for partying. There were so many people there, and I think that might have been a little overwhelming as well.

Friday evening we dropped by our ward's Trunk-or-Treat. I took decorations for my car and everything, but I forgot that I am a single mom right now, so I have to make sacrifices. So I sacrificed handing out candy at my own car so Vincente could go around and trick or treat at all the other cars. He got a good load of candy for a toddler (which will have to be carefully rationed to him over the next 5 years... ha ha, just kidding, between me and him, we'll probably have it eaten by next weekend!)

Everyone loved his little cowboy outfit. It's Russ' costume from when he was little. Russ' mom made the vest, the bandana, and the chaps. Super cute! And it's kind of fun that Vincente got to wear the same costume Russ wore once upon a time. Kind of sentimental, you know.

After the ward shindig, we hopped over to the Coyne's for their Halloween party-pot-luck. Vincente had fun for the most part, but I think he was done with so many people. Ever since living in a house with so many people here almost ALL the time, I think he's kind of sick of being around lots of people. Anyway, he did have fun with Bella toward the end of the evening. They were climbing up the Lovesac together. Vincente kept saying "Climb up" - of course, it mostly sounded like "Kine up." They played pretty well together, until Vince decided that he didn't want Bella to be climbing with him. He kind of pushed her face away (not shoving, like he usually does, just a little "get away" push). I could tell it didn't hurt her physically, because for a minute she just stood there. Then I think she realized that Vince was saying he didn't want to play with her, and her little lip started quivering, and then the tears... oh the crying and tears, it broke my heart! She was so hurt that he didn't want her to play, too! What a sensitive little sweetheart! Vincente said "Shorry" a few times, which didn't really make her feel better, but eventually when she came back over to play, he kept telling her "Shorry." It was adorable. Kids are so innocent and loving and sensitive. It reminds you of how you should be.

Oh yes, and here is the Army Scarecrow we made over at our neighbor's house a few weeks before Halloween. We used Russ' old fatigues (the BDU's they don't use anymore). I thought it looked great, and I had to get pictures for Russ. I thought he would enjoy it!

it starts

What? you ask. Ear infections. Ever since I've known Russ (maybe just since we were married, or engaged or something) I have been prepared for my children to have ear infections like murder. Russ had them so often he had to have tubes put in his ear (which helped). He didn't have them as a baby, just as a toddler, and a young child (probably until he was four or five).

It isn't official (because Vincente hasn't been to the pediatrician yet) but I'm pretty sure he has an ear infection. He just got over a pretty nasty cold about a week ago, and just about when his cold cleared up is when he started getting moody - clingy, crying all the time, waking up in the night crying, lost his appetite. And then a few days ago I noticed some nasty ear goo coming out of his right ear. He's always had a normal amount (and color) of ear wax, so it being a crusty brown color and gooping up like it was, and combined with the end of a cold (during which he produced a lot of really gross boogers) and the other symptoms, I decided it is probably an ear infection.

I will take him to the pediatrician as soon as I can get an appointment, but the lastest research from the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) says not to do anything for (most) ear infections except give pain-relievers. No more super-bug breeding antibiotics (except in the case of a REALLY bad, REALLY dangerous ear infection) for every single ear infection. If this is indeed an ear infection, it's pretty much your run-of-the-mill ear infection, and the AAP says those are best left to the body to take care of (with the help of pain-relievers so your baby isn't miserable while his little body takes care of it).

So wish me luck to dealing with Vincente's first (definitely not his last, I'm sure) ear infection.

Pumpkin Picking!

On Monday night for FHE, Vincente and I went pumpkin picking. We'll probably do the carving tonight - so check back for more pictures! And then it's trick-or-treating time! We have a party Thursday night at BYU, then Salem is doing "safe trick-or-treating" at the ballpark, and then we're going to go to our ward trunk-or-treat, and then we're going to go to the Coyne's halloween potluck, and probably go trick-or-treating again with Guy and Bella and the other kids.

So, for the pumpkin picking.

The only thing about pumpkin picking with Vincente (and probably any toddler) is that he loves dirt. Loves it. There is nothing he would rather do than pick up dirt and throw it around (except maybe kick up dirt with his feet... both of which he spent his time doing at the pumpkin patch).

Christy managed to get a picture of him trying to get the dirt from around a pumpkin, so it KIND of looked like he was interested in the pumpkin. But don't let the photography fool you. Vince didn't care at all about the pumpkins.

So once we found our perfect pumpkins, Vincente went over to enjoy the kiddie maze while I paid for our prizes. He was pretty good at it. He knew exactly what to do - just keep walking the directions you can go until you find your way out. When you find your way out, you turn around and go back for more! He really really loved it. My kid is getting so fun. The older they get, the more entertaining they are, that's for sure. Although I am still really excited for a little sweet baby that just sits in your lap and cuddles. Vincente isn't as interested in cuddling as he used to be.

So there is our pumpkin picking adventure! Check back for more info about our Halloween festivities. It's way fun that Vincente can actually enjoy it this year!

a quickie

I have a few things to post (and some pictures from our pumpkin picking adventure tonight!) but it'll have to wait until tomorrow when I haven't stayed up so long past my bedtime...

I am getting SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to move.

I can't wait.

I'm so ready.

I want my own house.

I want my own TV.

I want my own living room.

I want my own kitchen.

I want my own dinner menu.

I want my own backyard (with a LAWN).

Okay... now I just want to sleep.

energizer

I mean the bunny... you know, the one that keeps going, and going, and going, and...

You get the idea. That's how life feels right now. School... well, mostly school. It's like it never ends. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I can't wait for it.

It's like just when you think things are dying down, they pick up again. It's going to be like that until finals... *sigh*

And then, after finals!? Christmas break with my hubby!!! SOOOO excited. Check out my countdowner thingee

<---- over there somewheres. It'll tell you exactly how long until we get to see him again!

Okay, so yes, I am ready to go to bed now. Just had to record somewhere how long I feel like school is taking.

Oh, but yesterday and this morning I kept thinking about the little house I hope to rent near Russ at AIT. I kept thinking about playing in the backyard with Vincente and planting irises and tulips in the front flower bed and decorating the house. I can't wait to live in my own house again. It's going to be awesome.

facelift

As you can see, I've given my blog a little facelift. Mostly I did it because I didn't want to work on my formal proposal for English or my midterm for math (that's what I've been doing all day).

Now I don't have any more good reasons to stay up, so I should go to bed. I really miss Russ... a lot. I put a countdown thing on here too :) Mostly for my own benefit. Just over two weeks... I think I can make it. 

I have to make it.

*sigh*

fun stuff

After going through a little slump where I felt like a crappy mom and I was beating myself up for not spending more time with Vincente doing things HE likes to do, I made a commitment to do better. So here's what we've been up to!

Yesterday we went to the park. Vincente loves swings. He really enjoyed this park. They had two huge tractor tires that you could climb on, around, etc. Those were fascinating as well. I've been meaning to take Vincente to the park more often, and yesterday was such a nice day.

Today, after working on a Math take-home midterm, and after Vincente's nap, we went ice skating! Vincente has been a few times before, but he outgrew his old ice skates this summer, and I haven't had time to take him, so I didn't think about buying him new skates. But then we had some extra money, and I had made this commitment to do fun things with him, so I bought him the new skates. They were supposed to come next week, but they arrived yesterday morning, so off went went to The Peaks ice arena in Provo. The skates we bought for Vincente are from Baby Skates They are the only manufacturer of ice skates in sizes smaller than 6. CCM makes a children's hockey skate in size 6, so when Vincente outgrows these size 5 skates from BabySkates, we plan on buying him the CCM skates. The BabySkates are double-blade, but like I said, no one else makes skates for toddler sizes (not full-boot skates... they make the crappy adjustable, wrap around the shoe skates). When Vincente outgrows these skates, he'll graduate to the CCM Tyke size 6. Those are single blade hockey skates. Then he'll learn how to do hockey stops, cross over turns, the works! Until then, we're just working on getting him comfortable on the ice. Today was great - especially once he discovered how much fun it was to play with the cones. He like skating from one cone to another, and then having me push him around while he held onto one of the cones. If it hadn't been just me and Vince at the rink I would have more pictures, but it's kind of hard to take pictures AND hold up a toddler on ice skates! (especially when you're 4 1/2 months pregnant, and bending down isn't very comfortable)

my sweet husband

I got a letter today from Russ. It was the best letter I've had from him in a while! He is so amazing. I love his testimony and his faith and strength. I think he has made some permenant changes in his thoughts and faith that have really made some wonderful changes. He sounds like the Russ I fell in love with. I can't wait to be with him again. His letter was really bouying and encouraging. It was exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it.

Feeling Full

As I'm writing this post, Vincente is in his bed singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, among other things.

So two things happened today that made me feel like I am being a good mother.

For a little background, I have been feeling really crappy lately about my parenting abilities - I think it is compounded with the fact that I feel like I have to do it all by myself. It's great having grandparents help, but it's not the same - especially when there really IS another partner in the marriage who is WILLING to help, and WANTING to help, but just away serving his country. Anyway. I have really been feeling lately like I am a crappy mother.

Here was the proof that I am actually doing an okay job.

1.) This morning while I was brushing my teeth before we left for school, Vince was in the bathroom with me, hanging on my legs like he usually does. As I was putting my toothbrush up, he pulled on me and said "Mom. A kiss? A kiss?" I bent down, and he puckered up and landed a nice fat one on my lips! It was the best feeling ever. Usually I have to coax kisses out of him, and most of the time I fail miserably. So the fact that HE asked ME for a kiss was priceless! Melted my heart... it was pretty much mush for the next few hours.

2.) Tonight after I put Vincente to bed and turned out his light, he got out of bed and stood by my door, calling "I want you, Mom!" (yes... he calls me mom... I think it's because we live in a house where all the kids are older, so they call my MIL mom. Heh. ) Anyway, when I put Vincente to bed and come in my room, I usually keep my door cracked while I get ready for bed (in case he wants to come in) and then when I turn off my lamp and go to sleep, I open the door all the way, so he doesn't get scared being alone in his room. Well, lately, even when the door is just cracked, he still won't open it. He stands at the door and calls for me (like he did tonight) or he stands at the door and knocks. That's probably the cutest. When he knocks on my bedroom door. What an adorable child. So tonight he called for me, and I went in and told him to get back in bed. Earlier just before I had turned out the lamp, when he was sitting in bed, he pointed at his bookshelf and asked for "Books" but I told him it was bedtime and that he couldn't read because I was turning the lights out. Apparently he was not satisfied, and that's why he came to my door. As soon as I came in his room, he went right for the books on his dresser where we had left them after reading bedtime stories. So I said, "Okay, you can read in your bed, but you have to stay in your bed." I gave him about four books, left his lamp on, and came in my room. He sat there in his bed for probably close to 30 minutes "reading." Of course, my 18 month old child doesn't read fluently. In fact, really he only recognizes letters, and the word "Up." But the fact that he wanted to stay up reading made me feel like a great mom. Not that I really had a lot to do with his love of books, but I must have done something right - maybe exposing him to books, letting him read them how he wanted to, reading to him when he asks. Something had to encouraged him. I just hope I can keep encouraging him to read. He loves books so much.

So, yeah, I am encouraged in my parenting skills. At least I'm not a crappy mom whose kid only wants to watch TV ever - he's got interests and hobbies already! :)  And at least my kid loves me a little bit. Today all he wanted to do was cuddle with me all day. Made me feel great. He has never liked to cuddle, ever since he was a baby. Today he wanted to sit on my lap and snuggle me. During my class, at dinner, the whole day. Man, my heart is full of Vincente love. This is definitely the part of being a mom that makes it worth it.