This weekend J finished her 1st dance competition for the year. Her and her team did awesome! They won platinum for all 3 of their dance #s and went on to win 1st overall for tap and jazz, 2nd overall for hip hop. J is the captain for jazz and got to take home her trophy.
This year J is front center in all 3 of her dances and many people commented that she is fantastic and that this is her year. I know J works really hard on her dance, practicing and making a lot of improvement. Her love and passion for dance really shines through when she is on stage. We are so proud of her.
Hopefully I'll be able to upload her jazz/hip hop dress rehearsal videos later.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Battle
First I got the flu, then a bacteria infection, and finally a bad cold all accompanied with a fever. Now baby A, I don't know if it is because he is nursing or not, but he also got a cold and an infection along with a fever. So as expected, he has been crabby and more needy than usual. I can tell he's really tired since he's sleeping more than usual. He's still pretty feisty through the sickness, whacking at the bottle to tell me he's had enough so he's a fighter. Daddy sometimes is the only one who have success putting him to sleep. Because I was sick too, so daddy has been getting up a lot to take care of baby A and the bond between them is growing strong. :) Sure hope he can get well soon. Even though baby A is almost 9 months, he's not crawling, only scooting back. I'm not too concerned, all in good time.
As is usual around this time of the year, I'm on the hunt for homeschool resources for the next school year, taking into account now I have less time to spent with J/W. At the same time, there are certain areas I feel we can do better and make the experience better for everyone. This year, esp. for me, I feel I lost the joy of homeschooling. So I'm hoping to find it again. I do however, have to remember to give myself a lot of grace as we did have a new baby this school year; and an extra challenging baby at that, not like J/W. They are my 'textbook' baby, though W was sick a lot during his first year of life.
Anyway, I feel I'm doing the best I can given the circumstances. I have a lot I need to pray for. But one thing I came away from this year is I will still continue to homeschool J/W and spend more time in prayer/reading God's words. When I shared my insecurities with one of my friend, she said, that is the enemy-aka Satan- talking to you. First I didn't think too much of it, and then I realized how right she is. Glad my kids are firm in their commitment of wanting to stay with me. Thanks, J/W!
As is usual around this time of the year, I'm on the hunt for homeschool resources for the next school year, taking into account now I have less time to spent with J/W. At the same time, there are certain areas I feel we can do better and make the experience better for everyone. This year, esp. for me, I feel I lost the joy of homeschooling. So I'm hoping to find it again. I do however, have to remember to give myself a lot of grace as we did have a new baby this school year; and an extra challenging baby at that, not like J/W. They are my 'textbook' baby, though W was sick a lot during his first year of life.
Anyway, I feel I'm doing the best I can given the circumstances. I have a lot I need to pray for. But one thing I came away from this year is I will still continue to homeschool J/W and spend more time in prayer/reading God's words. When I shared my insecurities with one of my friend, she said, that is the enemy-aka Satan- talking to you. First I didn't think too much of it, and then I realized how right she is. Glad my kids are firm in their commitment of wanting to stay with me. Thanks, J/W!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Character traing for mom
It has been a rough 2 weeks, heck it has been rough ever since baby A appeared. I was seriously in very grouchy mood due to being very tired, feeling run down and having a very sore throat every morning, aching all over that I was pretty much being a real ogre to my kids. I felt I was at the end of the rope and just can't go on like this and something had to change. At my lowest, I was ready to send J/W right to public school. When I am sane, I realize I should wait until fall. I didn't at one point cared if they wanted to or not, or if hubby might object, I was going to send them no matter what, just so I can have some breathing time and not always feel so angry and frustrated. I even made a prayer bet with God, just to see if He really wants me to homeschool or not. *gasp*
But somewhere along the road, God talked to me through my kids. Both my kids w/o hesitation give wanting to homeschool a 10, not a 9.5 or 9.9 that I suggested they can give. Both of them would still wants to continue homeschool even if the other one was sent to school. I even offered to give them a large sum of money if they went to school because my kids do love to have their own money thinking for sure that would give them something to think about. But they turned it down flat and said even if it was a million or a billion bucks, they still want to homeschool. Okay, there you have it. They are unwavering in their desire to homeschool.
Often times I wonder why? Especially since when I feel like I yell them a lot, sometimes everyday for what is really little stuff. I have often asked myself why can't I treat them with more kindness and patience? And I pray often to God to help me not to yell but use gentle words. And if I'm really honest, I think sometimes I am downright mean and once I start yelling, I have a hard time stopping. In all honesty, I know I have really good, easy going kids. So why can't I see more of the good in them? Why do I always disapprove of them???? Of course, my solution is to send them to school. I think at least they won't get this kind of treatment at school.
Yet, despite all this, my kids amaze and confuse me when they say they want to stay home with me. W even reminded me that I had said I'll homeschool him until college if he wants and that is what he wants. So once again, deep in my heart, I know I won't be sending them to school and that I'll just have to keep working on myself. Or the best would be to send baby A to daycare. he-he. Just kidding. A friend of mine has once said that homeschooling is character training for mom. So very true.
P.S. I did get a rebounder for myself (and for the kids/hubby) to blow off some steam and hopefully feel better physically.
But somewhere along the road, God talked to me through my kids. Both my kids w/o hesitation give wanting to homeschool a 10, not a 9.5 or 9.9 that I suggested they can give. Both of them would still wants to continue homeschool even if the other one was sent to school. I even offered to give them a large sum of money if they went to school because my kids do love to have their own money thinking for sure that would give them something to think about. But they turned it down flat and said even if it was a million or a billion bucks, they still want to homeschool. Okay, there you have it. They are unwavering in their desire to homeschool.
Often times I wonder why? Especially since when I feel like I yell them a lot, sometimes everyday for what is really little stuff. I have often asked myself why can't I treat them with more kindness and patience? And I pray often to God to help me not to yell but use gentle words. And if I'm really honest, I think sometimes I am downright mean and once I start yelling, I have a hard time stopping. In all honesty, I know I have really good, easy going kids. So why can't I see more of the good in them? Why do I always disapprove of them???? Of course, my solution is to send them to school. I think at least they won't get this kind of treatment at school.
Yet, despite all this, my kids amaze and confuse me when they say they want to stay home with me. W even reminded me that I had said I'll homeschool him until college if he wants and that is what he wants. So once again, deep in my heart, I know I won't be sending them to school and that I'll just have to keep working on myself. Or the best would be to send baby A to daycare. he-he. Just kidding. A friend of mine has once said that homeschooling is character training for mom. So very true.
P.S. I did get a rebounder for myself (and for the kids/hubby) to blow off some steam and hopefully feel better physically.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
baby A loves
My little guy (7 Months 3 weeks) loves...............
to stay with mommy. Sometimes that drives her a little insane esp. when it's an all day marathon.
to nurse and can do so for a good hour until he is asleep and even when is asleep.
(mostly) can't wait to come to mommy. His whole upper body dives forward, sometimes little too fast. But he'll go to daddy, sister and brother too.
to rip out tissue paper or lettuce or anything he can rip, he loves.
to have a taste of whatever it is we are eating.
to play with water bottle.
to handle and investigate a book.
to put things in his mouths.
to take a bath. He gets so excited when I'm taking off his clothes.
to play with stacking cubes. He like to bang them.
to clap his hands. He's got really strong fine motor skills.
to have someone in our family to hold him, esp. mommy.
to stay with mommy. Sometimes that drives her a little insane esp. when it's an all day marathon.
to nurse and can do so for a good hour until he is asleep and even when is asleep.
(mostly) can't wait to come to mommy. His whole upper body dives forward, sometimes little too fast. But he'll go to daddy, sister and brother too.
to rip out tissue paper or lettuce or anything he can rip, he loves.
to have a taste of whatever it is we are eating.
to play with water bottle.
to handle and investigate a book.
to put things in his mouths.
to take a bath. He gets so excited when I'm taking off his clothes.
to play with stacking cubes. He like to bang them.
to clap his hands. He's got really strong fine motor skills.
to have someone in our family to hold him, esp. mommy.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Baby A's first long car trip
On Friday afternoon, we left for Chicago not realizing there's a snow storm warning there. So instead of 5 hours that it would normal take us, it took us 8 hours. There wasn't actually too much snow, maybe 3 inches or so but it was extra extra slow, the closer we got to Chicago. But baby A did pretty well; at least much better than we anticipated. He didn't cry or fuss too much, and in his normal fashion, only slept for 20 minutes after what seemed like a long time, 20 minutes. It was pretty much the same on the way back. J/W however asked what feels like a 100 times, are we out of MI yet? But the answer was pretty much always not yet.
We went to Chicago for the JUMP dance convention for J. There was a party on Friday that we had intended to let J attend, but given the snow storm, obviously we didn't make it on time. The rest of the convention J was there for. She was a real trooper, not complaining once about having to get up at 6:30 in the morning to get ready for JUMP. She was also very independent as we did not stay with her at the hotel. I did come to watch the closing show, but she wasn't even in it. It was only for dance academies who competed in the the convention. But at the closing show, J was surprised she was offered a scholarship for her excellent work in ballet during class. We are so proud of her!
During the time we stayed in Chicago, we stayed at a relatives' place. We didn't even knew we had such relatives until a little while ago. But they were very hospitable, and insisted we stayed with them. Lucky for us, they live pretty close to where JUMP was held so we commuted. They were very nice to us, making us meal breakfast, lunch and dinner. So someday, we hope to return the favor they showered upon us.
Of course, being in new place, baby A did not sleep well. So he had to sleep with us for the 3 nights on a full size bed the whole night and woke up to nurse many times. It was really tough and I feel like I have not slept in ages. Now that I'm home, I'm so glad. It is truly home sweet home!
We went to Chicago for the JUMP dance convention for J. There was a party on Friday that we had intended to let J attend, but given the snow storm, obviously we didn't make it on time. The rest of the convention J was there for. She was a real trooper, not complaining once about having to get up at 6:30 in the morning to get ready for JUMP. She was also very independent as we did not stay with her at the hotel. I did come to watch the closing show, but she wasn't even in it. It was only for dance academies who competed in the the convention. But at the closing show, J was surprised she was offered a scholarship for her excellent work in ballet during class. We are so proud of her!
During the time we stayed in Chicago, we stayed at a relatives' place. We didn't even knew we had such relatives until a little while ago. But they were very hospitable, and insisted we stayed with them. Lucky for us, they live pretty close to where JUMP was held so we commuted. They were very nice to us, making us meal breakfast, lunch and dinner. So someday, we hope to return the favor they showered upon us.
Of course, being in new place, baby A did not sleep well. So he had to sleep with us for the 3 nights on a full size bed the whole night and woke up to nurse many times. It was really tough and I feel like I have not slept in ages. Now that I'm home, I'm so glad. It is truly home sweet home!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
crawling
Just want to put a quick note here that baby A has started trying to crawl. He is moving back and sticking up his butt high. It is really cute. He is also really strong on his leg and can stand holding to the edge of a chair/sofa for some time.
This last Sunday we were out all day, first meeting Grandma for lunch then going to a birthday party. Because of that, baby A slept very little. Ever since then, he's on a napping strike. For the last couple days, he naps 5-20 minutes for the whole day then wakes up numerous times at night. So it's been exhausting.
We will be out of town this weekend again so it won't help the matter much but hopefully when we come back, we'll try to resume normal schedule.
This last Sunday we were out all day, first meeting Grandma for lunch then going to a birthday party. Because of that, baby A slept very little. Ever since then, he's on a napping strike. For the last couple days, he naps 5-20 minutes for the whole day then wakes up numerous times at night. So it's been exhausting.
We will be out of town this weekend again so it won't help the matter much but hopefully when we come back, we'll try to resume normal schedule.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
EC
I had accidentally read about EC before baby A was born. After reading the "Diaper Free Baby" by by Christine Gross-Loh, I was more than willing to try. When baby A was brand new, he signaled loud and clear whenever he needed to relieve himself and did not like to do it in his diaper. But when he was that age, he seemed to need to go too often, like every 10-15 minute that it was too much for us to deal with at the time so we gave up for the time being.
Fast forward 7 months and baby A is starting to eat solid food, and even though we use cloth diaper, baby A's bottom still seemed red, dry and chafe. I'm sure having more solid poop does not help. So I began thinking about EC again. But at this age, he is used to doing it in diaper. So the last few days, I have been letting him go diaper free most of the time and his bottom look much better. Today was the first day I had real success. I cued him and he went in the toilet while we were at archery. Hubby had success the last few days. It's really just about holding him for some time and paying attention. Hubby even caught a poop in the toilet. But later in the day, I got busy and didn't pay attention to his cues (fussing and kicking his legs), baby A went back to his old habits and went in his diaper. So I def. plan to continue EC and pay attention and communicate with my baby. To know that I can communicate with my baby is amazing.
Fast forward 7 months and baby A is starting to eat solid food, and even though we use cloth diaper, baby A's bottom still seemed red, dry and chafe. I'm sure having more solid poop does not help. So I began thinking about EC again. But at this age, he is used to doing it in diaper. So the last few days, I have been letting him go diaper free most of the time and his bottom look much better. Today was the first day I had real success. I cued him and he went in the toilet while we were at archery. Hubby had success the last few days. It's really just about holding him for some time and paying attention. Hubby even caught a poop in the toilet. But later in the day, I got busy and didn't pay attention to his cues (fussing and kicking his legs), baby A went back to his old habits and went in his diaper. So I def. plan to continue EC and pay attention and communicate with my baby. To know that I can communicate with my baby is amazing.
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