Where has the time gone....

Time is flying by at a records pace and I feel like I cannot possibly keep up with it. Work is so busy and crazy that I feel like I am already a school year's worth of work behind. I know that I will catch up and it is the beginning of school so I am trying to remember that. School is GREAT! I love my school and the teachers I work with. They like me too. One even told the principal "Thank you" for Amanda. That makes me feel good.

I have lots of meetings after school and more work that I know what to do with but I guess that is good. I have to do BTSA for the next 2 years so I have that about once a week for 1 1/2 hours. I have to do all kinds of work for it which should be interesting. I am also going to go back to school in the Spring to clear my Special Ed. credential so that will be good.

The girls are doing better with daycare and Evelyn even says she misses one of her teachers when we drive home at night. This is a welcome change. Drop offs are still hard but getting better. This morning was rough as she DID NOT want to wear a diaper, so she went in underwear. She made it all the way to school but didn't last there for long. She went through 2 changes of clothes before putting on a diaper. At least she is starting not to like the diaper. Baby steps. Evelyn has been having tantrums and OMG they are NOT fun. She is unconsolable and I don't know how to help it. It is sad. Welcome to the two's.

Camille is good but teething again we think. She is growing like a weed and getting cuter everyday. She doesn't like to be dropped off in the morning and cries as soon as she sees me when I pick her up. It is sweet to know that she loves me so much. She does good there and is drinking her bottles but will not eat solids for them. I am ok with that since she does at home now.

What else can I catch you up on??? I get my first paycheck next week! Whooohooo!!

I think that is about all for now. Since I am not home, I haven't been taking as many pictures but will try to soon.

Love you all!

Camille's Teeth!

Here they are! Click on picture to see them better.

Is there something on my chin?

Pure love!

Daycare!

This week the girls started daycare at a Kindercare near our works. It has been a rough transition but I know that it will get better. The first day was probably the easiest for the girls. I cried a little. Camille doesn't really understand what is going on so I hand her off and go take Evelyn to her teacher. That sounded bad. I tell her I love her, give hugs and kisses and then leave her with her teacher. Evelyn was good the first day but the 3rd was HORRIBLE!!! We were both in tears. I think it was because I sat down with her for a few minutes. I was thinking that would help but it didn't. Today was better, she still cried but I said a quick goodbye and left. When I picked her up her teacher said that she was better soon after I left.

Camille has been drinking from her bottles really well. I am glad as this was one of my main concerns. She has been taking shorts naps but that is better than none at all. She is doing well, although as soon as she sees me, she starts crying. It is the sadest thing in the world having to leave them everyday.

Week 1 done, many more to come. I took a couple of pictures on their
first day so please enjoy them. These were taken when they were still happy.

School starts Monday and I think I am ready. I have a GREAT group of teachers I am working with and the entire staff seems really great and supportive. I am looking forward to a good year. I am so thankful that I love the job because it makes it a LITTLE easier to drop the girls off than if I didn't like the job. So I am very thankful for that. I will try to keep this up to date but it may be harder so I am sorry.

Camille is 22.9lbs and now has 2 teeth. Big girl growing up so fast. My baby is not going to be a baby too much longer.

Evelyn is 23.5lbs and doing great (other than daycare). She is talking up a storm and loves her Camille. Camille is the first thing she talks/asks about when I pick her up at daycare. It is so sweet that she loves Camille so much. I am thankful.

Have a great weekend. I am off to enjoy the girls.

Camille's first tooth

Camille got her first tooth this morning. I felt it after her morning nap. I figured it was coming soon since she has been fussy and last weekend had a small blood blister on her gums. Hopefully it won't disturb her sleeping. Last night was great. She slept from 7:45-1:30 and 2:00-6:30. This is a schedule I can handle.

I will try to post a picture of her new tooth soon.

Evelyn is doing great and having fun playing with all her new toys she got for her birthday. Her new favorite word is "soon." Maybe she hears it a lot from me when she asks to do something but Camille is sleeping. It sure is cute though. I will post picture this weekend.

Have a great weekend everyone. I know I will!

Happy Birthday Evelyn!

Happy Birthday my sweet little girl! I cannot believe that you are now 2 years old, my how time has flown by. You amaze me everyday with the things that you can do and how you have grown into a great young lady. You have taught me to be a better person by showing my patience and unconditional love. Thank you for showing me how to live life in its simplicity without all of the other stuff. I love you very much and wish many more happy birthdays to you.

Here are some pictures from this past weekend. Enjoy!

Busy

Things have been really crazy around here lately. We have Evelyn's birthday this weekend and I start my job in a couple of weeks. I have been going non-stop but try to rest when the girls do.

Camille is doing good and sleeping a little bit better. Hopefully she keeps getting better. Tonight she started saying, "mama." Although, she does not say it to me or know what it means it is still really cute. She is getting into everything and is pulling up on everything also. She is getting bigger and bigger all the time but also cuter and cuter. We always get comments on how cute the girls are. I think so, but I am biased.

Evelyn is doing great, although right now she is awake in her room calling for me. She is talking up a storm and repeats almost anything you say. She is becoming so independent and loves to help. It is great to see her grow into a little girl. I am amazed that almost 2 years have past. She loves Camille to pieces and while I know it won't last, I savor it for now.

I am going to upload a video of Camille saying "mama" because I think it is so cute. Enjoy!

Full Time Position

I went yesterday to sign my contract and fill out the paperwork for my job and it all went well. I got home after lunch and there was a message on the machine asking to call the Special Ed. Director back so after the girls naps I did. I called and talked to Nancy and she offered me the full time position. OMG! I can't believe it. This will work out better for us with daycare but will be harder because I am a first year teacher and there are some other obligations that I will have.

I know that it will be hard but I know that we can do it. Wish us luck!

Working Momma...

That's right everyone. I got the job, well one of them. I got offered the part-time position at Rolling Hills Middle School. I am excited about it. I will be working M-F 7:45-11:30. I think this will be the best of both worlds as I get to teach and get back into the classroom, as well as get to still be home with the girls part of the time.

I go to the district office of Tuesday to sign my contract and do paperwork. I think I will be starting August 13th.(lucky day!)

Thanks for all yours well wishes and prayers. I appreciate it. I think this is a good transition to going back to work.

Love you all!

Pics...

The Waiting Game!

I had my interview yesterday and should hear back from the district by Friday. So now I wait. I hate waiting. I want to know so I can plan or not plan. I know Friday is not that far away and will be here before I know it. I will let you know what I find out.

I feel good about the lesson I taught. The kids were engaged and enjoyed playing and experimenting with the magnets. I think they truly enjoyed themselves and understood what I was talking about.

The interview was good. I answered to the best of my ability and even though I didn't remember one of the accroynms I fessed up and said so. I think they appreciated that instead of giving a bogus answer. They had lots of smiles and laughs throughout the interview so I am hoping that is good for me.

There was also a written portion which I think I did ok on.

They called one of my references so that is good. We will see what if anything comes of it. I really want this job. The school and principal seem great. They do a push-in model which is great for special education students.

Please pray that I get offered the full time position.


Evelyn all dressed up!

Weekend Pics!

This weekend I was home alone with the girls for the first time. Richard went 4x4ing with Keane and some friends on the Rubicon. It went pretty well. We saw a friend and her son yesterday and then went shopping with Lavon for an interview outfit. Bedtime was what I was dreading but they did great. I am tired but I survived. Enjoy the pictures.

Job Interview

I have a job interview on Tuesday at 8am for Buckeye Union School District. It is for Middle school special ed. position and I am excited for it. Please with me luck and pray that I get the position.

***Grandma I am glad everything went well. I was thinking about you all day and praying everything would turn out well.

SURPRISE!!!!

That is what I got on Friday afternoon.

Richard had to work that day so I was home alone with the girls doing my normal stuff. I had just gotten off of the phone talking to Richard when Evelyn woke up and the doorbell rang. I went to the door and looked out the blinds to see 2 dark figures at my door. I decided I didn't like the way they looked so I closed the blinds and ignored them. They continued to ring the doorbell and knock so I was getting really scared. I even turned on the alarm and had the phone in my hand to call 9-1-1. My heart was racing and I was trying to keep the girls away from the door. Sandy was going crazy. It was soooo scary until I heard, "Mandy, it's mom!" The best words EVER.

My parents came up to surprise me for the weekend. I had a rough week last week and needed a hug and they came to give me one. It was great. My house was a mess but it didn't matter because they were here.

Evelyn lit up as soon as she saw them and was saying "Yaya, Papa" it was so cute. I called Richard back and told him that they were here and he was going to come home as soon as possible. It was such a great surprise.

Friday night we went to dinner at Cattlemen's. We haven't been there in about 1 1/2 years. It was so good and the girls did really well. It was nice to go out to dinner.

Saturday morning, my parents came over and we had breakfast. We got the girls ready and when Lavon got to the house walked over to watch our city parade. We had a good time and it didn't get too hot until the end when we were leaving. After lunch, we went swimming at the hotel pool. Both girls enjoyed it even though it was a little cold. After we came back had some dinner and lit off a few fireworks.

They had to leave Sunday morning so we met at The Bagel Shop and had breakfast before they got on the road. It was a GREAT weekend and I am so glad that they came up and surprised me. It was what I needed after a really long and hard week at home.

Thank you Mom and Dad. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July.

Catching Up...

It has been a while since I last posted about the happenings around our house. Things have been crazy and busy as usual. I think one of the main reasons I haven't posted is pure exhaustion. Camille has not been sleeping well at all. She is up every 1-2 hours all night long so needless to say I am getting little, broken sleep. I am hoping it will get better soon. We have a dr. appointment tomorrow to talk and make sure nothing is going on that I don't notice. Hopefully she is fine and we can figure out how to get her to sleep longer. I do not know how people work when their baby sleeps so little.

Camille is getting bigger. She is about 22 lbs I think. We will know for sure tomorrow. She is fun to be around more and more as she is more interactive. She is not the happiest baby as of late but hopefully that will change soon too. She also doesn't like solid foods. I try almost every day to get her to eat solids and it is not happening. Maybe tomorrow.

Evelyn is good. She is still sleeping well in her big girl bed. She is also getting ready to potty train. If she does not have a diaper on she will use the potty so that is a step in the right direction. She continues to amaze us with her speaking and memory skills. The other day she started walking down the street and said, " I go Emma, Lily." These are two little girls that we know and haven't seen in about a month but she remembered them and wanted to go see them. It was so cute. She did that again with the little boys we went to the zoo with last week. She also remembers everyone down south and their animals. It is amazing. She knows everyone's names up here as well. It is hard to believe that she is only 23 months.

We are gearing up for her birthday next month. We are thinking about doing it at a park since the house is not big enough. Hopefully it will work out. I am looking forward to it and seeing friends and family.

I am still looking for a job, but have not had any interviews yet. I am still hopeful and praying that something comes my way. Please pray that it does as well. I go both ways about going back to work but I think Evelyn would love daycare and Camille would be fine. I think that they need that interaction. I think I am ready also. I have loved staying home but I think I need and want to get back into the classroom. Let's just hope I can find something.

Other than that, things are going well. We are pretty busy on weekend between now and August. It is a busy time of year with birthday parties, but it is fun to see everyone. Hope all is well in your neighborhood. Thinking of you all.

4th of July

Happy 4th of July! Here are some pictures. I will update soon with the weekend festivities.


Camille is Red, White, and Blue.


At the Rancho Cordova City Parade.


Watching the parade.



Camille asleep in Papa's arms.

It's HOT!

It was 108 today and that is just too hot for me. Since it was so hot we stayed indoors all day which made Evelyn stir crazy. It was overall an ok day but my dear sweet Camille does not like to take long naps or sleep for long stretches at night so I am always exhausted. My eyes are burning as I type this and will probably go to bed after posting.

I love the girls more and more each day and the thought of leaving them to work is hard. I have not found a job yet but I am still hopeful. I have a few applications out and I am hoping to hear from them soon. Keep fingers crossed and prayers coming. I need and want to go back on most days. Some days I don't want to leave the girls and other days I wish I was at work because I so badly need a break from them. We will see what happens.

I have not taken many pictures lately. I am sorry. Here is one from tonight when Evelyn was taking her bath. Her hair is getting crazier by the day. Enjoy!

Job Hunting!

I have decided (well we did) that I need to start looking at going back to work. There are a few reasons for doing so. I need to clear my credentials, need money (always), want to get back into it, and the economy the way it is it doesn't hurt to have a job.

I have put in a few applications but there is not much out there even for Special Ed. teachers so wish me luck on finding and getting a teaching job. I worry about Camille being so young with me going back to work but I know she will be ok.

Here are a couple of cute pics to make your day.

Evelyn and her dolly.

Camille and Evelyn playing.

Sweet Camille.

A little overexposed but I LOVE her eyes.

Rocking Elephant!

My grandfather's brother in law made a rocking elephant for Evelyn before she was born. We put it away since she was too little to use it and we did not have the space. We decided that Evelyn is big enough to get on and off and use it safely so we pulled it out this weekend. She loves it! We took some pictures of her on it that turned out cute.

Enjoy!


Do you think she likes it?



Getting on for the first time.


Camille, watch out or she will get you.

Father's Day Pictures!

Father's Day!

We had a great Father's Day as I hope everyone else did. We started the morning with me making breakfast for Richard. I made pancakes with fresh fruit. It was very yummy. Then we got ready to go to the Sacramento Zoo and Fairy Tale Town (small amusement park with slides for kids). We got to the zoo shortly after it opened since the girls don't know how to sleep in. It was great though because noone was there so we just walked around and saw all kids of animals. The Gibbons were talking so loud it made your head echo instead. It was great. Evelyn loved the Giraffe's and the Flamingo's (mingo's). After the zoo we got lunch inside Fairy Tale Town and then Evelyn went on the slides for a little bit. We ended up leaving a little earlier than planned because Camille needed to eat and it was nap time.

On the drive home both girls fell asleep quickly so we drove around looking at houses (NO we are not looking to buy). After they woke up we toured a couple of models for fun.It was hard to enjoy because the whole time Evelyn was asking for milk.

Lavon came over for dinner and then we went up to Cold Stone for dessert. They were having dad's eat free if they bring in the family (we didn't know this until we got there so that was a bonus.) After our yummy ice cream we went to Barnes and Noble to get a couple of books before heading home.

It was a great day for a great Dad. I will post pictures once I can figure out Picasa again.