Busy

I feel like a stranger to my own blog! I almost forgot my own login and password since it has been so long since I posted.

We've been blessed with a busy life, though I often think I have overextended myself. And there is a tiny piece of me that still wants more kids. Though I'm not sure why as I often finish the day thinking I'm not made for this job. Maybe I'm hoping I can get it "right" the third or even fourth time around!

I'm blogging this evening because I finally couldn't take any more and decided it was time to let Sophia cry it out. My sweet Sophia! I love that girl! She is truly my sunshine! Annabelle is my joy! But, Sophia, she is my sunshine!

Annabelle and I are like two peas in a pod. But Sophia and I are like night and day. Neither Annabelle nor I really dig the mornings. But that Sophia is ready to hit the ground running first thing in the morning if anyone else is willing. Of my two children, Annabelle is the least affectionate (much like myself). But not my Sophia. She loves to snuggle. She will snuggle with me in bed in the morning until she hears her sister's bedroom door open. Then she immediately wants to jump down to find Annabelle. Annabelle completely ignores her. I know that feeling of not wanting to talk to anyone in the morning. Annabelle asked me just yesterday why Sophia always cries when Annabelle shuts her bedroom door behind her in the morning after Annabelle has used the restroom first thing in the morning and goes back to her bedroom to make her bed. I told her it was because she didn't even say "Good morning Sophia!" Annabelle said, "Why is she so happy in the morning?" I don't understand it myself, Annabelle. But, she's about the only cheery person I've ever been able to stand in the morning. Annabelle has never been cheery in the morning! Just this morning Annabelle changed her tune and sweetly said, "Good morning Sophia!" as she hugged her sister. They are so sweet to each other. Strike that! Annabelle is so sweet to Sophia! Sophia is a bit of an affectionate trouble maker. Hence the fact that she threw sand at her sister several times today after being instructed not to do so. Hubby and I had to turn our heads and giggle a bit. Annabelle just takes the beatings with stride!

So, I'm rambling. Letting Sophia cry was not nearly as hard as letting Annabelle cry when she was 18 months old. Though I have really been lacking in the sleep department with Sophia. She has pretty much always woken up every 3-4 hours. It is as if we have had a newborn baby for 17 months straight! She feels the need to nurse 2 or 3 times during the night as well. (Yes, I'm still nursing). I am sure the nighttime wakings are not going to stop immediately either, but we're going to take it in stride. Unlike Annabelle, Sophia cried for a good 45 minutes straight this evening, and I didn't hear her last whimper until around 9:55 p.m. Strike that! She just started crying again at 10:34 p.m. I left her room at 8:35 p.m. Though her cries so far are strictly cries and not screams, so that is definitely comforting.

Besides the lack of sleep, here is what we've been up to lately.

1. We started teaching Annabelle's Sunday School Class back in August. Though we've only taught one Sunday so far. We teach again this coming Sunday.

2. Annabelle started ballet at the Decatur School of Ballet on Wednesday, September 7. She seems to be enjoying herself after only two classes. Though I am having a hard time adjusting to a new schedule. She is currently learning to spin and skip. Who knew skipping could be so hard? Not that we haven't practiced ourselves before, but skipping is a hard gross motor skill to master. I've actually read somewhere that a child isn't ready to read until they can sway their arms in an opposite direction from the leg skipping forward. Or something like that.

3. Hubby and I started a pretty intense Bible Study on Wednesday evenings for 2.5 hours. It is a 34 week commitment. I need prayers that the girls can tough through these long days and stay healthy. Perhaps I can convince my sweet parents to watch them on Wednesday nights so they can stay free and clear of hand, foot and mouth disease! Yuck! Apparently it has been making its way through the daycare center run by our church.

4. I agreed to work one day a weekend through October 15 at the public accounting firm I have been working at since I graduated from college. The extra cash is definitely a plus, especially during these economic times, but it definitely adds a bit of stress to our household.

5. Annabelle started her second year of choir on Wednesday, September 14. Hubby and I were attending the Bible Study during this hour, so my parents picked her up from choir and took the girls home for a normal bedtime. But the next day she was already singing several of the songs to me. She really seems to enjoy choir too.

6. We officially started our first day of Homeschool Pre-K yesterday. The curriculum I chose is centered completely around God. I doubt myself constantly in this role as teacher that I feel God has chosen us to take on in the coming years (if it works for us), so I need prayers that we are truly following God's will. And I especially need prayers that God will provide me with the patience I need to educate this strong-willed, must do it her way, child. I can see that after only one day she is going to be a challenge!!!

I hope you all haven't given up on me yet since I haven't posted since July! If you haven't, please feel free to leave a comment!