Hurts

I started weaning this weekend. I'm leaving for Europe in two weeks, and besides, it's just time for this kiddo. He's not as interested and I end up feeding and pumping each time since he seems to have better things to do. As he is on solids and bottles, he's made the transition well.

But nobody told me it would suck this much. It sucks emotionally, but it sucks physically even more. I can't lift my arms :(

Anyone have any pain remedies? I'm only in 36 hours so I guess I have a few days left?

Look What I Can Do!

This happened overnight. He has had a tendency to put his hand on his evening bottle, but the other day when we were out to dinner he started manipulating it, and when I picked him up from the sitter after work the next day - he had it all figured out. Perfect timing since I'm going to stop nursing within the next 10 days.

These two are inseparable. Seriously. Bunni HAS to be near him at all times. He just laughs and laughs whenever she 'rearranges' his hair and holds his hands out for her to rub against. She totally takes his abuse also, namely fur and whisker pulling. And she keeps the motor going the whole time too!

Typical

The Good News: The weather is back into the 50's during the day. I have been out working with my horses. I don't have to wear my honkin' winter boots. Yeah for warm weather!

The Bad News: The sheet of ice under the water spigot outside is still there. It's slippery. I didn't want to change boots with rubber soles to haul water.

My Shoulder:

The Good News: It's not broken, dislocated or fractured like the Dr. thought.

The Bad News: The rotator cuff is bruised, the tendons are pulled and so is the bicep. I have to wear it in a sling for the week. I can't lift it above my rib cage. Boo.

The Cool News: I got a CD of my X-Rays. Technology is great.

The Many Faces of Wy Wy James

I'll get some pics of the new horses up next week sometime. In the meantime...enjoy!

Boring

Sorry - there quite literally has been not much of anything going on here. I do have some stuff I could blog about, but I need to take some pictures and whatnot so it isn't worth it right now.

I've also been caught up with parent teacher conferences, revamping our household (that I will one day blog about in the far future), and dealing with the winter weather that finally arrived - and left again. We had -56 wind chill the other night. You all know how running water doesn't freeze? Whatever. Ours did. And it was definitely running - not dripping. So along with that comes hauling water for livestock. Fun.

Wyatt continues to grow! I promise to be more exciting in the weeks to come!

The World is For Me to Discover, and Eat.

The last month has brought about a world of discovery for the little guy. Namely the animal kingdom we have. He watches the cats and dogs, getting frustrated when they don't come over to give him kisses. Both big dogs stick their noses in his face then give his hand or foot a little lick, but Wrigley likes to plant them right on the kisser. From the way Wyatt laughs and opens his mouth for more while leaning in, I guess he likes it. We try to stop it when we see it coming. I'm all for kisses, but that's kinda gross.

My one little Manx kitty still has to be by his side almost constantly. Wyatt tries to get kisses from her also, and has taken to grabbing with both hands and pulling her in. She tolerates this, and he tolerates the mouthful of hair he gets, but again, it's a practice we aren't exactly condoning. Here he is trying to go in for the 'kill', but mom has a pretty good grip on him.

First he notices...

Then he leans...

Then he tries to go for it before mom stops it...(see the tongue starting to come out?)

As I take him everywhere with me, we inevitably end up in loud places. I had to watch gate at the basketball game recently, and as we were right under the buzzer I got a chance to use the babybanz ear protectors I had bought awhile back. He fell asleep with them on; after chewing on his feet for awhile.

Really Not a Whole Lot...

I know I skipped over the Holidays pretty quickly...and that's because there isn't much to tell. I hate to admit it, but it wasn't a very happy time. This was due to a variety of reason's - one being there was a sad little girl in the house who's mother promised to take her to Disneyland over Christmas and then never came to got her; citing excuse after excuse. Another being family member's who are unsure of to whom they should be pledging their loyalty. Like that should even be an issue - but for some reason it is.

I'm married. That means to me that my husband and immediate family (i.e. our children) come before all others. This seems to be a difficult concept for some people to grasp; making threats, unfair accusations and malicious lies to get their way. Which, when it comes right down to it, doesn't make any darn sense anyway.

My New Year's Resolution? To purge my life of all this negativity and, let's face it, verbal and emotional abuse. If you are a negative influence on my emotional health, I don't want to talk to you. Sorry, but that's my bottom line.

This comes after a VERY LONG year of being gracious and attempting to show my sincerity about the importance of family, all the while biting my tongue and stopping myself from blurting out my true feelings. However, my true feelings won't do anything but sink me to the levels of those who cause these emotions, so I'm taking a healthier route - and guess what?

Life has been quite peaceful these last few weeks!

I've also learned a lot from my son. Smile and laugh everytime someone talks to you and they will start to do the same!

I Didn't Have Internet!

The Rio Grande

I didn't drop off the face of the Earth, but I didn't have internet access and I've been crazy busy since! I'm sorry!

There's not much to say about Christmas Break. Wyatt enjoyed it. I spent a lot of time making gifts that still need to be mailed out. It's hard for me to find some 'me' time.

Chilled on New Year's with some friends.

In other news: New horse, Wrigley's a daddy again, it snowed here...

Enjoy the pics, movies, etc...

Our fantastic Santa, courtesy of my colleagues husband....does that make her Mrs. Claus?

Wrigley's a daddy!

The wine glasses I handpainted

The Pysanky eggs I decorated for ornaments

The necklaces I beaded

And my little man!

I promise to post again soon!

'Tis the Season!

Create your own free greeting

I Think I Own It!

The Annual Door Decorating Contest that is. Since I kicked some bootie last year with my 3D tree, I decided I had to try again. Check out my door in the new school this year:

I also beaded a bunch of snowflakes for my classroom. I was at the bead shop the other night and they had these cool wire snowflake frames for like $2/6 to bead. I thought it would be a fun project for my stepdaughter to make ornaments for family at Christmas, and then got into it myself. I'm going back to buy more frames tonight! Simple, easy and elegant project! Oh yeah - and cheap too if you buy your beads at Wally World! Aren't they pretty?

It's Feeling a Lot Like Christmas!

First off, I need to put a shout out to Galloping Grace Youth Ranch in New Mexico. They are a non-profit organization that caters to children on their ranch. Each year they host a Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Corral. We missed out on pumpkins this year and were determined to get our tree from them. Alas, between the funeral and a cranky sick husband we just didn't make it. I'm bummed. Hoping for next year!

So we put our tree up this weekend!

Santa visited a little early as my little man has finally made the connection between his hands and his eyes! We first noticed it in his swing when we attached the tray with toys. He definitely was reaching and manipulating!

He's such an active little boy and loves to stand supported, so we decided it was time for a jumper. With some serious online searches involved, we finally found an affordable one at Wally-World, of all places. He loves to bounce in it and play with the toys!

I also have been meaning to post forever about Tinkerbell, the Pony. I finally found her a good home! As I refused to sell her for pennies, a friend approached me with a fair trade. Tinkerbell has gone to live with a little girl who loves her and rides her regularly, and in exchange I got this:

Tootsie, the Mini. She eats less. Has a Shag carpet for a coat. And is Wyatt new trusty stead (when he learns to ride next summer). As she comes up to my waist, I'm not too concerned about falls.

Outlaw Wyatt James

Sorry I haven't posted lately. Nate's grandmother was killed in a horrendous car accident the Friday before Thanksgiving, and as he was extremely close to her, and she had been one of the nicest women ever to myself, we've had a hard time with it. Her husband was also injured in the accident and was hospitalized for awhile, but made it home for Thanksgiving and is recovering well. So it's been a rough week, but the funeral was beautiful and we walked away with positive thoughts. I'm not going to dwell on it, but we are hoping this has changed how some people in the family have treated us.

Spent Thanksgiving with close friends I work with and just relaxed and enjoyed each other's company. We had fantastic food and I spent two days baking in my tiny kitchen. My part of the menu consisted of homemade rolls with spiced cinnamon butter, sweet potatoes, brie wrapped in pastry, homemade sangria, pumpkin pie, and berry/rhubarb custard pie. I have great recipes for all of it is anyone's interested. The Sangria was especially yummy!

Nate and I celebrated our anniversary Sunday. We made it one year without killing each other - barely.

I started back to school with the kids yesterday. I hated leaving Wyatt, but he has a great sitter that is just down the road from work and I can see him at lunch if I want. He's her only infant and only one of two full-time children. I'm very happy with her, but I miss my little man soooooo much. I wish I could take him to work with me.

Wyatt is growing! He is such a handsome little dude. He smiles and talks and laughs all day. If he gets cranky, we just need to change a diaper or feed him and he's back to amusing everyone! He's our little outlaw.

As a true outlaw, lounging around in long underware and cowboy boots is a pastime not to be beat.

"Soooooo....you think you can beat me at cards? Here, let me drool on you."

"That's right, wanted in all 50 states"

"Being this cute exhausts me. Keep an eye on things for me Maverick."

Disguised as "Little Earp"

Long Overdue

I haven't addressed the many questions concerning my step-daughter and the MIL. First things first -

Who made amends with me over the summer, then told me, though my efforts were appreciated, I wasn't good enough as a mother two weeks before giving birth when I was all hormonal?

Who told her granddaughter's teacher (at church no less) her parent's didn't care about her now that they had a new baby in the house, and to call her instad of her parent's if there were issues or concerns?

Who dresses up (ironically) as a clown to steal her granddaughter away from a Halloween party to take her to a haunted house at the school her stepmother works at, and then pretends she's not who she is 'cause...wait for it...she's in disguise?

You only get one guess (hint: it's the same person)

You got it! A crazy person! I'm over it. Really. It's really quite hurtful to myself and my family, and I just refuse to let anyone be hurt like this anymore

So that leads me into my stepdaughter's behavior. I don't think it takes much to explain the influences she has working around her. As a co-worker and parent of a child in her class recently said, "It's very obvious when you are out of town, or (she) has visited with her grandparents. She's rude to me and acts like a brat towards my child." Nice. At least I'm not getting blamed for her behavior. In fact, she herself blames grandma by telling her friends that, "my grandma told me I don't have to be nice to you." I don't actually believe this was really said, but she's got it figured she can behave anyway she wants if she blames it on her grandma. It's a quandary. And no, she doesn't visit but that doesn't seem to stop the in-laws anyway.

For the record - I really would love to be able to respect them and depend on them. Having family close would be nice if we could take advantage of it, and for general support. But when they can't respect their son, his wife or them as a couple - it makes it a little difficult when such foolish behavior is exhibited. What's killer is we visited quite often; at least once a month if not more. We spent the summer holidays with them, had dinner on more than one occasion, spent labor day with them, had my stepdaughter with them on and off through the summer for overnight visits, let her stay there when I was in the hospital, etc. But evidently if they don't have her whenever they want her, and for as long as they want her then they must resort to kidnapping. Like I said, I'm over it.

As for my step-daughter: we have started a red light/green light board and star chart at home. She's fine with Wyatt, but there have been some behavioral issues - such as lying about homework and then forging her father's initial on worksheets. What 5 year old does that? She gets a lot of attention, especially concerning school work and reading (which she really enjoys). The chart seems to be working as she's very excited to stay in the 'green zone' and collect as many stars as possible.

'K - moving on...

Wyatt is my little strong man. He loves to hang as a monkey and does pull ups. I'm not kidding. He does a 90 degree arm hang, can lower himself, pull himself back up and also does leg lifts. He laughs the whole time. Is this normal? LOL (BTW: LOVE the babylegs! They rock!)

I have been busy getting creative. I used to be quite the pencil and pen and ink artist, but don't have the space for my work in the house. My creative outlet has gone towards more 3D work - like knitting and sewing - and jewelry making. I've been knitting scarves and cowls to match recycled sweater mittens I've been felting for Christmas gifts. The only problem is I want to keep everything! I'll post pics soon concerning my projects - I've just had a stack of papers to grade lately so it's been put to the side for now since I have to catch time when baby is napping (and that's almost never).

This weekend I went to a birthday party for the daughter (and former student) of a good friend of mine. I totally spaced it, but came up with a cool gift at the last minute. She's a little cowgirl and shows horses competitively so anything chunky and rustic is right up her alley:

I used all natural stones: Turquoise, garnet, amber, quartz and lapis.

I made it into some pre-preggers pants about a month ago. Those were my 'fat pants'. This week I made it into some normal sized riding jeans I have that used to be a little loose, but now fit perfectly. Hopefully by next week they're a little loose again! Losing pregnancy weight sucks. I've been walking in my Shape-ups and doing some cardio, but not near the amount I should.

I had my hair done. I've been growing it out and wanted something drastic, but not short again. My stylist did an awesome job - she dyed the lower layers a really dark reddish brown (almost black), then chunked a bunch of bleached highlights and dark lowlights mixed with my natural haircolor. The highlights framing my face are a lighter blond that's almost a light lavender in certain light. I love it. It's totally dramatic and fun which is what I wanted. I've gone from the girl who might visit the hairsalon for a trim once every two years, to loving a change in my look at least twice a year. I'm not sure when the girl gene kicked in, or if it'll last, but I'm enjoying it.

Happy Halloween!!!

A monkey and his banana. Could life get any better?

Didn't I Say I Wasn't Going to Do This Anymore?

Dude - What's up?

I did, didn't I? I can't believe I'm home all the time but don't get a post up more often! Ok I swear I didn't pose this kid for this picture. I didn't even notice what he was doing with his hand until after I took the picture.

In the news:
I'm taking my full maternity leave so I get to stay home until Thanksgiving. I was considering going back earlier, but I have faith in my sub who has all my detailed lesson plans, and I'd have to pay the babysitter anyway so I might as well stay home with my peanut.

Speaking of the peanut - we had our 2 month check up (2 weeks late) and Wyatt weighs 11lbs 5.5 oz. and is 24 inches long! He's in the 50th percentile with everything but his length - he's in the 70th percentile for that!

He's still a good baby - and sometimes gets through the majority of then night. I figure if I can get him down by 12 and he doesn't get up until 5 then I count that as a full night. Unfortunately he's usually up at 2 or 3 also. He's a happy baby! Always smiling! We have a Bumpo 'cause this kid wants to be part of everything and laying down just isn't acceptable!

I'm taking this time to get rest, and start some projects. I've been going to knit shop at least once a week and am working on a few different projects for the holidays! I'll post about them soon!

Also new news in the animal department! I'll post about that soon as well!