The 5,000 Year Leap

I joined a book club here, and it's great.  Well organized, lots of snacks, and tons of discussion.  We've read a big variety of books, which has helped me get into some genres that I'd normally never even consider.

This month's book was The 5,000 Year Leap.  It's not exactly light reading, but it is so fantastic.  I'm not quite finished yet, but I've learned so much.  It's written by a man who has studied the founding fathers and the basic principles of the constitution for years.  He gathered his thoughts into basic principles that the founding fathers wanted our country to be founded upon.

It's a very timely read, with the general political climate and the upcoming election.  I'm amazing at the foresight the founders of our country had.  And after reading this, it's clear to me that they were guided by Heavenly Father.  There's no way they couldn't have been.

 

Don't let the endorsement by Glenn Beck scare you off...this is a level-headed and factual read.  I'd recommend buying a paper or digital copy...you'll want to make notes!

Sleep Week: Victory!

You know you've found yourself in all of these positions.

Oh, man.  My kids totally rocked Sleep Week.

Let's start with the Sunbean.  She said that she wanted to sew the paci to her favorite animal's mouth.  Being the infinitely wise mama that I am, I went ahead and cut the tip off first.  No funny business around here.  The first night, there were tears and whines for upwards of two and a half hours.  Not constant, but still exhausting for everyone.

Then the next day for nap, it took her another 2.5 hours, but she went to sleep.  No crying this time, though.  I'll take it.  For bed that night, the little darling went to sleep in about an hour.  A far cry from her usually 10 minutes, but it was progress.  By last night, she was asleep right away.  Such a big girl.  Naps are pretty good, too.  Two days this week she fell right asleep, and two days it took her a long time.  Either way, she's still napping.  Winning.  She does, however, have an unnatural hatred toward the animal who now owns the paci.

Little Dude has amazed me this week.  It took him exactly one day to learn how to put himself to sleep, and doesn't fuss much.  Maybe 20-30 seconds.  Looooooove it.  Now he wakes up around 7, naps at 9, 12, and 3, and then goes to bed at 6.  Of course, he still wakes up at night to eat, but last night he did 5-hour stretches.  He hasn't done that since he was 2 months old.

So all in all, this week has been great.  It was stressful and exhausting for all of us, but the hard work is over.  All we have ahead of us is restful nights.  Ahhhhh.

I can't say it enough, but you've gotta check out Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.  It's like scripture to me.

Have a restful weekend!

Monday Hodge-Podge

 

• First and foremost, it's Sleep Week here at the homestead.  Both of my kids have naughty, naughty sleep habits.  I've reached my breaking point, so this week is going to be rough.  For Little Dude, he's learning how to put himself to sleep.  So far, we're doing great.  He fussed for his morning nap, but fell asleep on his own and in his bed.  We did this with the Sunbean at 4 months, so we're a little behind with the dude.  But he's doing great!  As for the Sunbean, she's still using a pacifier {insert guilty mommy look here}.  I know.  It's ridiculous.  She's just such a good sleeper {12 hours at night + a 2-3 hour nap} that I hate to mess it up.  But it's time {it's been time for 2 years...}.  So for FHE tonight we're sewing her pacis inside her favorite stuffed animal.  Here's hoping she doesn't tear open the animal tonight.
• Have I told you about my calling?  I teach the 10-year-old Sunday School class.  The kids are way smart, and I have to work really hard on my lessons to occupy them for the full hour.  But the really incredible part is after my lesson when I go with them to Singing Time.  These kids are like some kind of elite choir.  They all sing {even all of the boys!} and they all harmonize.  The music leader teaches even the 3-year-olds melody and harmony.  It's so amazing to sit there and listen.
• I'm getting excited about Valentine's Day.  I know that sounds odd, but I remember holidays being a really big deal when I was a kid.  It occurred to me the other day that it's my job to create that for my littles.  So the Sunbean is getting jazzed for another holiday {she loooooved the Christmas season}.  I've got some fun meal ideas, and I ordered some super cute things on etsy.
• MacGyver and I have decided to get serious about getting rid of this 'happy weight' we have.  You know, the weight you gain when you get married and happy and comfortable and have no one to impress.  Since January 2nd, we've both lost 7 pounds.  Go us.
• Do you have an iPhone?  You need the camera+ app.  It's so amazing.
• On Saturday, we spent the whole day at our friends' house.  You know, the ones who have 3-year-old twins and 4-month-old triplets.  Our 'baby gift' to them was to paint the less-than-appealing wood paneling in their family room.  Wow.  What a day.  Our painting 'plan' is always for MacGyver to do the rolling and I do the cutting in {trim work}.  So, I ended up doing 2 coats of cutting in and then 2 coats on all of the crown moulding and baseboard.  My body still aches!  Aside from that, the triplets {who are usually such mild-mannered babes} were having a bit of an off day.  And then you factor in that we had 7 children 3 and under in one house for the whole day....well, 'loud' is an understatement.  But we had such fun hanging out with our friends all day, and the room just looks great.  Such an improvement.
• We visited the local science museum on Friday, COSI.  It's so great.  The second level is devoted entirely to children in kindergarten and younger.  Like, if you have an older kid with you, they can't come in.  It was awesome to just let the Sunbean explore and do her thing.  Not awesome?  Carrying around my 22-pound 7-month-old for 3 hours.

Happy Monday to you!

The Poor Timing of Little Dude

Oh, Little Dude.  For being 100% planned, you sure are coming at a busy time in our lives.  Well, it's really our fault.  We're (apparently) not good at math, and some things have changed in the past 8 months.

For starters, I found out I was pregnant with you 4 days before my first half-marathon.  Scratch that one.  In case you were wondering, it's a total drag to do all of the hard work and training for a 13-mile race and then not get the t-shirt.  Well, at least I got the half-marathon legs (you know, before I started retaining water).  Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be worth it.

Secondly, we planned for you to be born in May or June (let's just go with May, okay?) so that when Dad was going to graduate, you'd be 6 months old.  That way we could keep at least a few months between major life changes.  Well, the good news is that Dad is graduating sooner than we thought!  Hooray!  The interesting part is that his graduation ceremony is just two weeks before your expected arrival.  Hmm.  I guess if I can be picky, don't come on May 14th.  Or the few days before.  Thanks for understanding.

And third, you're kind of interfering with my love affair with this guy:

It's true.  Your nerdy mom is a Harry Potter fan.  Don't worry...I'll read all of the books to you and your sister someday.  But here's the thing.  The very last movie hits the theaters about 6 weeks after your due date.  Some would say that's perfect timing.  The problem is that I cannot leave my newborns babies toddlers offspring.  I'll admit to a little attachment parenting.  Hey - it works for me, and it worked just fine for your sister.  Don't get me wrong, Little Dude, dad and I enjoy the occasional evening away from sticky children, just not at 6 weeks of age.  Plus, I supply the nutrition.  If you're anything like your sister, I wouldn't be able to leave you for more than 2 hours at that age, anyway.  It's a good thing you'll probably be cute.

So what will I do about Harry?  I'm not sure yet.  I can either wait until it comes out on DVD (sad!) or I can somehow drag you along to the theater (I'm fairly positive that taking a newborn to a movie is included in the definition of bad parenting).  I've been seriously considering the feasibility of taking you to a matinee showing after the crowds have died down.

Even though your arrival is going to interfere with some other life events (yes, buddy, Harry Potter is a life event), we're positive that you're the perfect little boy for our family!

Top Ten...Books

Here are my current Top Ten books, though this list changes frequently.  In no particular order...

1. The Harry Potter Series.  As in, all of them.  As in, l.o.v.e. love these books.  At first I was anti.  Then I was tutoring a 5th grader who would have nothing to do with any other book.  So, we read the first two chapters together.  That night, I finished the first book.  They are fantastic pieces of literature.

2. Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons.  Talk about perfectly capturing life as a stay-at-home mom.  A must for all mothers.

3. Beat the Turtle Drum.  I first read this in 5th grade, and have read it several times over.  It is a really sad book, but would be a good recommendation for a child who has recently experienced the death of a loved one.

4.  Pride and Prejudice.  Tried to read this several times.  Couldn't get into it.  My dear friend forced me to watch the Kiera Knightly version, and I was hooked.  Read the book, loved it.  Watched the real version (read:  A&E....read:  take me home, Mr. Darcy), loved it ten times more.  I just watched the Mormon version.  Totally adorable.

5.  A Wrinkle in Time.  A classic.  I loved the way this made me think as a child, and I love the fact that I can still enjoy it.

6.  Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.  Does it make me a nerd that this made my Top Ten?  Probably.  It saved my life, though, so it deserves a spot.

7.  Tarzan of the Apes.  Okay, okay.  Laugh it up.  Then go ask them to dig it out of the archives at the library.  I first read this about 5 years ago for a book club, and was shocked at how well-written and thought-provoking it was.  My friend chose it because she's 'never been disappointed with a classic'.  So, so true.

8.  Anything by Dan Brown.  Suspenseful, intriguing, and well-researched.  I've read each of them in less than two days.  Certainly the mark of a good author.

9.  Plain Truth.  I love just about everything by Jodi Picoult, but this is my current favorite.  I'm not sure what exactly made this one stand out above the rest, but I've read it many times, and always find it fulfilling.

10.  Little Earthquakes.  I read this while pregnant, though that might not be advisable.  It is about a mother who has lost a child, and how she and her other young-mother-friends move on.  A great and fun read for moms, just be careful in case you are the crazy I-just-know-every-conceivable-bad-thing-will-happen-to-my-child type, like me.  A great portrayal of the camaraderie of mothers.

There you go...Happy Reading!

Any suggestions for me?