Update

Blogging has been a little spotty lately, due to traveling and general business with all of our activities, preparing for the move, and getting ready for more traveling! We are doing well through it all, but just wanted to update on a few items.

First, you all will be happy to know, I have been studying regularly. I finished an ENTIRE text book. That's right, a whole, complete, cover-to-cover, honest-to-goodness, 500 lb, back-breaking, legitimate school TEXT BOOK! Me, who has both a bachelor's and master's degree without ever really reading the books that we were supposed to buy with the class, which I did, but sat, unused mostly, on my bookshelf, has read a whole book! I am really quite proud of myself, and I think that it speaks volumes on my desire and my motivation to become and Lactation Consultant. So there.

Second, Em's second tooth broke through and you can finally start to see it. The top left one feels like it will be coming soon, too. Alas, no more mouse-tooth or cabbage patch smile! She is so darn cute!

Third, we have a woodpecker boring holes into our new house. It looks like someone took a can opener to the wood trim on it. And the M-F'ers are protected, so our original answer involving a gun is out of the question. We know how we are going to fix the damage, but are unsure as to what to do in the meantime. Good lord, thank God for our friends who found it for us. I wish it was a ghost, instead of Woody!

Fourth, Em is down to one nap a day. We are doing better after a crazy period of being all over the place with sleep/wake times. It is more consistent, but not ideal. Still mainly napping with me or in the car. But, with all the upheaval, it is honestly not worth the battle. I am doing what works for us right now. We will need to tweak things once we are settled in VA, but with more travel and a move on the forefront, I am not getting crazy right now. It works, and we are both more or less happy with the status quo for now.

Fifth, the monkey is signing pretty well for most of her needs and has just been a joy - cute and funny and personable. She is "talking" more and yelling and fake laughing to get us to laugh. She is hilarious. She is also so very sweet, and gives kisses and hugs and speaks to us in her "nice girl voice" ("za za za za"), while petting us. We are really enjoying this time of her childhood and LOVE watching her grow by leaps and bounds. The knowledge acquisition, assimilation, and application, albeit limited, is so amazing to watch!

Well, I should get my butt into bed. Just wanted to remain semi- up-to-date.