New Year, New Stages

I'm not feeling particularly inspired today, but I'm aware of how long its been since I've posted here so I'm going to push on through. I'm selfless like that. :-)

Jason and I had a new experience this morning.....a parent/teacher conference. As if I don't already think Bailey is growing up way too fast, her school had to add this to my plate full of things to worry about. In all seriousness, I was excited to learn firsthand how Bailey is doing in school. She is such a - let's see - vocal child, that I am always worried about whether she's the holy terror of the group. My fears were assuaged, however. Her teachers think she's delightful and are humored by her more than anything. They did say every now and then she exerts her control a little forcefully, but they can easily correct her.

I'm starting to worry about next year. The problem is that her birthday is in late August, missing the deadline for kindergarten at her current private school and BARELY making the deadline for public school. Do I keep her where she is - where she'll have to go to Pre-K 4 days a week - or send her on to kindergarten. I think she's ready, but she'll be the absolute youngest kid in her class. But, she'd be withe friends she's made for another year if she stays put. And, of course, there's the $ factor. Private school = 2nd mortgage. Public school = yea, new clothes! Sigh.

Nolan is finally chubbin' up, we think. Of course, we've thought that quite a bit through his short life, only to be told the opposite by his doctor. But, I really think he is this time. He's been eating really, really well. I don't have a picture showing his little frog belly, so I'll have to take one for next time.

On the flipside, he's been behaving quite badly....or as badly as he can at his age. He continues to want me to hold him 24 hours a day, and gets rather bent out of shape if I don't comply with his demands. He's started hitting me (better than biting, I suppose) and has developed the "mean face" when he either doesn't get what he wants or is testing us when he's ABOUT to do something he thinks we don't like. Here is my best try at capturing the mean face. It's not exactly right, but you get the picture. To truly be the mean face, he needs a bit more crease between the eyes. I think this was just him being irritated by the camera.

His favorite activity these days is looking at the pictures on the walls. He LOVES to go from frame to frame looking at them. Most of them are of Bailey....hey, I'll get around to displaying his image one of these days!! But, he always says some unintelligible word when he looks at the pictures (which I keep hoping turns into BAILEY, but sounds absolutely nothing like that). I still can't get him to say a single word other than momma and dadda. At this stage - where everything makes him mad - I'd really like him to be able to tell me what would make things better!! Oh, well. I guess the hitting will toughen me up.

Here are a couple of random pictures for your enjoyment. Bailey made me a smashing hair-do last night!

And I made her some art for her wall.