Another sick day but better than yesterday so we’re on the way up. I am all raw on my lips and nose from blowing it so much. I took today off work and just rested. I started at the ceiling a bunch, rested a bunch and just let my body recover. Nathaniel, as usual, played with David’s stuff while he was at school.
After we picked up David, Jake’s parents arrived so the kids were overjoyed. David started showing his books and talking and reading and Nathaniel played with the multitude of yarn balls Jake’s mom is using to make a blanket.
Sorry to be quiet, not much going on right now. Mostly resting and recovering. I hope you guys are doing better than we are.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we get date night tonight.
2. I am grateful that I am feeling better for the most part and definitely seem to be on the way to recovery.
3. I am grateful that I am able to and choosing to take a little time to rest, it does appear to be working so far.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. having Meme and Papi here
2. playing on pbskids.org
3. doing my pattern homework
Well, it was coming. No matter how much I tried to avoid it, I was unavoidable that I got sick, too. So now all three of us are sick in varying degrees. I spent every moment of today lying down and praying the pain in my head and jaw would go away. I know this splint is for my TMJ but man it hurts my gums and teeth and even jaw so much. I took care of Nathaniel and worked a bit but for the most part, I was completely useless. Especially since Nathaniel’s up at 3am for four nights in a row now, too. Thankfully David was at school and neither of the kids has fevers. When we picked David up, he went right to working on his workbooks.
He loves them so much. The little one was a bit more rested after his nap and played a bit and visited me.
I then put a few cartoons on and they both climbed on the couch near me. I love snuggling up with them and smelling them. If it takes cartoons, so be it.
I love that Nathaniel was sitting between David and me and kept giving David impromptu hugs. He’s so so cute. and so loving.
The kids went to bed, I worked on my art journal, and now i am lying on the couch again. Cold, tired, in pain. Ugh. Here’s to a better tomorrow.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that neither of the kids have a fever. Nor do I. This could be much worse.
2. I am grateful that Jake and Nathaniel went out to dinner together tonight 1-1 and also bought another halloween costume. Yey for daddy-son dates.
3. I am grateful that I found a replacement for my volunteering tomorrow. I’m in no state to go to David’s school, especially since I will be there Friday. Here’s to feeling much better by then.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. watching giants on daddy’s iphone
2. having dinner with daddy
3. making my peek-a-boo thing at school
Today promised to be hectic even before it began. After we dropped David off at the bus, Nathaniel and I rushed to my new TMJ doctor where I got xrays, fitted for a new mouth guard that I have to wear night and day (ugh!) and I got some massage/therapy, and a shot in each temple. Nathaniel whined most of the time. He woke up with a little fever so I gave him some medicine and he went for his nap as soon as we got home. I worked while he napped and then gave him food. Since he was so sick, I didn’t want to take a chance and take him out when I did my run so I put him on his high chair and walked back and forth in my tiny backyard. Tiny tiny tiny. It was quite a scene but I did it. For a whole mile. Then we went to pick up David. And I snapped this happy face.
While the little one eyed the markers on the table.
And then signed food.
Then we rushed to the doctor for Nathaniel’s 18month appointment. Besides being stuffed up, he’s doing great. No fever. 90% in height and 50% in weight. Average head (didn’t tell me percentile) and clear throat, chest and ears. So just a cold. Which he kindly passed on to me, too. Since he was a bit sick, he didn’t get any shots. David got his first flu shot and was quite sad. But we came home, he had some yummy food and some play time with daddy and was good as new.
Now nathaniel is complaining in bed but if I got in there, he cries more, or stops briefly and restarts so I don’t know what to do. I am trying to give him a little time to see if he’ll settle down. I am wiped. Congested. Tired. Eyes hurting and head hurting. And jaw hurting from wearing this new splint. I’ve never worn braces so having something plastic in my mouth all day and night is not fun. Not to mention all the jaw pain. Oh well…I do what I have to do.
A little Glee and I am off to bed, too. I hope you are all well and not getting sick like the karenika household seems to be!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got to be the guest poster at shutter sisters today. What a huge honor!
2. I am grateful that creative therapy is featured in artful blogging’s winter issue. This is also a big honor and a dream come true!
3. I am grateful that despite the pain and frustration, I am trying to do something about my jaw, here’s to hoping it works!
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. getting a lego sticker at the doctor’s
2. playing legos with daddy
3. making my halloween book
Last night when I was at the grocery store, I bought some purple lights and put them inside the pumpkin so now they flicker. I thought David would like it when he wakes up in the morning since it’s generally dark. But Nathaniel enjoyed it even more.
All day long, he kept walking to it and pointing to it.
When we got David from school, it was his library day so he came home with a book and immediately sat on the couch to read it. I cannot tell you the joy this brings to my life.
He also lifted Nathaniel’s spirits up.
And made him laugh so very hard.
The kids then played while i worked briefly on my art page and nathaniel spilled some water all over himself so I had to take his top off and when I talked to him, this is the face he gave me.
Even though the photos might deceive you, both kids are sick. David has a runny nose and Nathaniel has a runny nose and fever. He’s super cranky. He’s also drooling so I am guessing it’s teeth but thankfully his 18month appointment is tomorrow so we will find out for sure.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I walked 2 miles today. I felt better and walked as fast as I could.
2. I am grateful that I am home and can take care of my kids when they are sick.
3. I am grateful that people are being so kind and generous with me. And allowing me the opportunities I really wish for. I am so lucky and so grateful.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. watching a little TV with mommy and nathaniel
2. playing with daddy
3. checking out my book from the library
Another full full day here but a quieter one. I woke up and finished my art journal pages and while I worked on those, the big boy played on pbskids and the little one sat behind him and played with my iPod. I love how Nathaniel likes to be with his brother so much. He hugged him a good 20 times today.
I snapped a few photos of Nathaniel and I know they are blurry.
But I still love them.
Then I started to carve our pumpkin and took a break for lunch and to go walking. It’s pouring rain here. But I went anyway. When I came home, it was time to finish the carving project. The kids were very excited.
I carved and carved. I know it looks odd here but it worked.
see it here? Three skulls.
While I snapped the above photo, Nathaniel emptied the paper plate cupboard and decided that was much more fun.
Some blog work and now I am off to safeway as the kids eat dinner. Seems like not much but it was a full, full day. And a great one. Happy Sunday!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I carved the pumpkin, I wasn’t looking forward to all the work but it’s lovely.
2. I am grateful that I walked despite the rain and that i have a treadmill coming soon.
3. I am grateful that I spent some fun time with both kids today. I love our time together.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. coloring
2. playing PBS kids
3. having chocolate pudding
4. carving our pumpkin
Yesterday was a long day. So much so that I was too tired to do the update and decided to have it wait until today. It was tiring, but not the bad kind. The little boy decided to wake up at 4:30 so I was wiped before the day even began. When Jake got up, I took a brief nap and then we went to the pumpkin patch.
We always go to the same place: Lemo’s Farm in Half Moon Bay. The first thing we did is ride the train since that’s everyone’s favorite.
It turns out it’s impossible for me to take a photo with all 3 of my boys actually looking at the camera..
David did try to comply.
Then we went to feed the goats. They make me feel so sad cause they’re trapped in there and they stick their heads out so much just to get a little bit of food.
I can say I wasn’t on my game for taking photos. I’ll blame the lack of school.
But I love my kids so much and took photos anyway.
This one made me laugh.
My sweet little one.
And the big one. The wonderful boy.
And then men who literally make my life worthwhile. I love them so.
On the way to the car, I snapped this photo of the season I wish we were already in. Doesn’t it look so much better?
What can I say, I’m not a Halloween girl. I love Christmas.
We came home briefly so Nathaniel could nap. So I got to scrap a bit and started my art journal page. And then we went to see our friends Manu & Hana and then we came home, ate dinner and put the kids to bed and went back out after the sitter came. We saw the Social Network which I thought was a great movie.
By the time we came home I’d been up for over 20 hours and was too wiped for anything.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we got to go to the patch. I didn’t think the rain was going to let us go but it was clear just long enough for us.
2. I am grateful that we got to have date night. It had been a few weeks since the last one.
3. I am grateful that we got to see manu and hana, we see each other too rarely.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. going to the patch
2. playing wii
3. going to manu and hana’s
4. having a kitkat!
Well here’s to another day I took off, got small things done and struggled at work and struggled with walking and eating well and getting my kids to eat veggies and on and on. But I did them all. I walked, i ate veggies. I replied to a few emails. I did my art journal. I made veggies for Nathaniel that he didn’t eat but then he ate my squash. I got some work done. I learned a lot more. Slowly. Progress can be so slow.
While I work so hard, little boy’s learned to get into things and goes through the pantry to make food suggestions.
I say no no no but he tries to open.
And succeeds.
Then he plays with the extra lunch box I got for David. He loves that thing.
But can’t open when it’s closed and close when it’s open so he often makes faces like this.
And this.
And asks for help from his brother when he’s around.
Who’s the kindest, most patient boy ever.
Weird side note: Do you watch commercials? There’s an Old Navy one with the leaf blower man and I don’t know what it is but it always makes Nathaniel cry the second it comes on. Literally the second. Also, the Microsoft one with the family photo and how you can make it “perfect” using the cloud? I hate that one. For other reasons. Long ones. This is just a reminder for me to write about it later.
Both of the kids and I had nightmares all night last night. Here’s to hoping it’s not the case tonight. This weekend is pumpkin patch and then visiting my friend Manu and then some pumpkin carving. And of course walking, eating well, art journal, fixing some of my BPS content writing some more content, emails, and maybe just maybe if I am lucky, some scrapbooking! Oh and reading. It’s been too long since I touched my kindle.
I hope your weekend plans are fun. It’s been quieter than usual here, I hope you’re still visiting me. 🙂
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I am making efforts in so many areas of my life. Really trying this time.
2. I am grateful that I still feel more relaxed than last week. The crazy suffocating feeling seems to have disappeared, at least for now.
3. I am grateful that we’re going to the patch tomorrow. I always look forward to that.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. working on our last puppet – zebra!
2. coloring
3. doing the numbers and letters workbook at school
This morning I scrapped! It’s been a long time since I scrapped and even though I have two assignments on my list, I did something completely different. I am not sure if I like the page I made, it’s a bit unusual for me, but it was so nice to scrap again. Between that and the art journaling my table is a complete mess.
Nathaniel is growing up by leaps and bounds lately. Still no words but a lot of opinions and anger and frustration. And reaching where he can’t.
But he still continues to be super-sweet sometimes.
Exploring everything. But not the trash, thankfully.
He loves his brother so much and he randomly walked up to him and rubbed his leg. It was such a loving gesture, we were both touched.
And then he sat next to David and listened while David read.
David really liked reading to him.
And Nathaniel must have, too, because he gave David a big hug.
And then we played some more, ate some, read a bunch more and it was bedtime. It’s amazing how tired one can be by 6:31pm. I know for some people that’s when their energy starts coming and they stay up until 2am but those days are long gone for me. It’s rare I make it past 10pm.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that thanks to my meeting yesterday I managed to do better at work today.
2. I am grateful that I scrapped a bit. Nothing like preserving memories.
3. I am so grateful for my kids, even during those super-crazy moments. I love them so deeply.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. working on my mini book – coloring and drawing
2. watching a movie at school – lifecycle of plants
3. doing the workbook with mommy
This morning I woke up, I posted the catalyst, I snuggled up with my kid, I had my coffee. I was blissful and happy. I just decided this was it, I was going to relax. And i ended up getting much more than usual done and I am still relaxed.
Nathaniel is getting harder and more demanding but he also plays with his toys occasionally.
And he’s so wonderful so I cannot imagine doing anything else with my time. I cannot imagine leaving this one at home and going to work. I love him so.
And then I had to go to work so Jake came home and went to pick up David while I went to work. I was there for a little over two hours and it was incredibly useful and also great to get out a bit. I don’t get out much. While I was gone, Jake snapped this for me.
And now I am back, kids are tucked in and I am planning on doing more relaxing. Taking care of me day! I hope you make one too!!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I went to work. I learned a lot.
2. I am grateful that I did actually take the time to relax today. I rarely let myself off the hook, so I am glad I did.
3. I am grateful that I feel calm now. That I am still walking and eating better and working on things. One day at a time….
4. Oh and i got this amazing email today. A reply I had long stopped expecting.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. making my Y puppet
2. watching movies with daddy
3. playing roll and recorder at school ( no idea what this is!! )
I’m so close to the very end, I can almost see it. Working working working like mad. While i work the little boy explores in the house.
Sometimes quietly and sometimes with a lot of noise. Especially if he’s hungry. I waited too late to take photos today, too so they came out much more blurry than usual.
And here’s Nathaniel looking up to his brother. Look at that love in his eyes.
I know this photo is super blurry but I love the look he has here. It reminds me so much of me. Eerie.
And here we are at the end of another day. October 18. I can’t believe we’re past the halfway point of this month. I plan to plow through very hard in the next two days and then be totally done with my lists. Or at least ready to take a break. I am ready to relax more and scrap some. Mmmm. scrapping. yes!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I wrote three more lessons today. Off to record some audio.
2. I am grateful that things at work seem to be moving along well. Slowly, but well.
3. I am grateful that I spent another day drinking only one cup of coffee. So far, so good.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. helping Daddy take the training wheels of his bike
2. watching mommy do her art journal page
3. reading mommy my stories
4. doing my X puppet (xavier the fox!)
I’m back to that bad place of being paralyzed by too much work. I’m getting a lot of work done and when i make my todo list I can see that it’s actually manageable and i will definitely get it done yet I still feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start and then get all wound up and do nothing. Here’s my promise to myself and you can hold me accountable: no new commitments for November and December. I’ve already made some but other than those, i won’t take anything on for the rest of this year. Time to rest and rejuvenate.
Many people ask me how I get work done at home with Nathaniel. Well here’s what he does while I’m working.
And then here’s the face poor David makes when i tell him he has to clean it up.
He knows it’s not fair and tells me so often.
But then I remind him that he did this when he was little and i cleaned it up every time and that we look out for each other and that’s what it means to be a family. And he feels resigned. Nathaniel ends up sacrificing for him too, just in different ways.
And speaking of Nathaniel I’ve been trying to expand Nathaniel’s meal variety. So we’ve tried carrots, sweet peppers, broccoli, blakc-eyed peas, and heirloom tomatoes in the last two days. All with no interest. He’s gotten really good at shaking his head no.
I apologize for cutting it short and being so whiny. I am off to write some more lessons and once this set is finished, I will breathe a big sigh of relief and be so much more jovial. I promise.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that despite feeling low and overwhelmed i am still making time for giggling with my kids, walking, and the art journal.
2. I am grateful that my ability to be effective at work is increasing.
3. I am grateful that I’ve been working on some positive changes for my daily intake of food. Not just fewer calories but more nutritional food. One step at a time.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. bringing the books i made at school home
2. going to school!
3. doing the brainquest workbook with mommy
And our Sunday has come and gone. I snapped this photo relatively early in the day and it really speaks to me. He looks so much like me here. A face I make. It’s eerie.
A lot happened this morning. I got some work done. David and I did some vocabulary and phonics. We watched a little TV and I watched a movie. And then Daddy came home!! We all rejoiced. Then we went shopping. I’ve been thinking a lot about food and what to eat more and I will talk more about it this week. After a long shopping trip, we came home and I tried to snap some photos of David. Here’s what he gave me.
And then the smile.
Then I went on my walk and when I came back, nathaniel spent some time putting my socks on and taking them off.
While I was gone, David and Daddy had put together his legos. Some of the pieces had broken so Jake had ordered replacements. Now that they arrived, they could finally finish it.
I cooked dinner for the kids but neither ate it. So most of it went to trash or my belly. Thankfully Jake prepared them for bed so I could be at my desk by 6pm for Brene Brown‘s webinar which i was really looking forward to. I am listening to it right now so i will bid you good night. More tomorrow.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that Jake is back. I miss him deeply. He’s the joy of our life.
2. I am grateful that did finish a lot of work this weekend.
3. I am grateful for my life. for getting to live it fully. for being more in the now than i’ve ever been. i need to cut myself more slack and think more about what i do and whether it’s where i want to spend my life. but i am really grateful for it.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. watching a little sprout.
2. coloring.
3. having daddy back
4. the gold coin daddy gave me
5. finishing the lego with daddy
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projects for twenty twenty-five
projects for twenty twenty-four
projects for twenty twenty-three
projects for twenty twenty-two
projects for twenty twenty-one
projects for twenty nineteen
projects for twenty eighteen
projects from twenty seventeen
monthly projects from previous years
some of my previous projects
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