Recap

Last week was pretty busy for us and this week is shaping up to be the same, but we’re having fun with it.

Sydney started Preschool last Thursday and I must say this is the best investment I have ever made. Even Josh told me I was smart for signing her up. She is loving Preschool. When we dropped her off the first day she was a little bit nervous for us to go and almost cried before we left. We bribed her with a My Little Pony, if she was good on her first day then she would get to open it. It seemed to work out because she let us leave and when she came home she was very happy and couldn’t stop talking about what they did in Preschool that day and about all the kids. I love the whole learning and growing process I am seeing in her while she is away from me. It was kind of weird the first day having her away, but it has allowed me to accomplish some tasks peacefully and in a more timely manner than if she was around. But, I am happy when she comes home and tells me all the things she did that day. She comes home with at least 3-5 different activities or artwork that she made in class, so I am starting a bin to collect it all and plan on taking photos of everything before we have to toss some of it. I have a feeling she will have quite a collection. Sydney also loves her teacher. She calls her Ms. Feather (her name is Ms. Heather). She is in our ward also and so on Sundays she calls her Mister Powell at church (instead of Sister Powell).

Easton just turned 7 months old last week and is sure growing up fast. Whatever happened to my little baby I wonder? He is starting to master sitting on his own, which is one of my favorite milestones. It’s a nice change from having him lay on the floor all the time. He is still figuring out the balance thing, but for just starting he is doing very well. We got this toy for like $3 a couple weeks ago while Kmart was having a huge clearance sale on toys and he seems to really like it. It’s been helpful at keeping him up and sitting.

The kids and I went shopping yesterday, (I’m getting braver) and at the first store I carried him in the Baby Bjorn, but by the next store my shoulders and back were killing me, so I sat him in the cart and strapped him in and he didn’t cry. He thought it was kind of fun. He kept his arms straight out to his sides as if he was trying to fly. He looked so cute. I’m looking forward to not having to always carry him around in the store, but I have a feeling I’m going to have to make my trips shorter.

Easton is also eating more meals a day now. He probably should have been eating more solids a while ago, but he seemed fine either way. Now I can tell he is more hungry even after nursing, so we are trying out all kinds of new foods. I’m thinking about trying to make my own baby food. There are some flavors that I may still buy, but has anyone ever made their own? It doesn’t seem too hard. I’ve been a little bit more adventurous when it comes to cooking, so throwing in some baby food recipes shouldn’t be hard. Oh, and this baby WILL NOT take a bottle. Someone give me advice on what to do. I can’t nurse him forever, in fact I think my body is trying to tell me to stop. Is there a bottle that I should try out? We only use the Avent ones, so if there is a magic bottle for babies who love to nurse, please share this knowledge with me.

Josh is doing great. He has been moved to the Park Mall, which is a lot closer to our house. It takes him close to twenty minutes less drive time both ways, so that will be nice. He enjoys the team there and is looking forward to a less busy and crowded store I think. Josh has been pretty much teaching our 7-8 year old class at church by himself. Easton just doesn’t make it easy on me at church. I’m hoping with his newly acquired sitting skill that I can help out more with our calling. I’m just not a good teacher at all. I don’t have the patience and I don’t feel comfortable speaking in front of the kids. I know it’s weird. Anyway, I think Josh is much better at it than I am, so I’ll let him do it.

I started work last week. The woman I work with is out on leave, so I am trying to figure out things. But, it’s been fine so far.I’m working hard on getting myself and my home a more organized place. I found this website that has lots of tips and printables on organization. Of course I’m probably just adding more work to my to-do list here, but eventually everything will be sooooo organized that I will have a lot more time to do other things. Right? Not much else with me, except that I am really proud of myself for planting a little garden this year. One of the tomato plants has a large tomato growing and a few of the cherry tomato plants have some growing as well. I’m hoping we’ll get to enjoy them soon even though it is so hot for them. I also planted some flowers from seeds and they are doing amazing, even in this heat. Oh, and one of my4 Hibiscus plants from QVC survived (I got a refund in those) and the blooms are huge, but only last for a couple of days. Pretty fun.

Oh and I just tried this recipe a few days ago and it was really really good. I’d never made a real cheesecake before and it was extremely easy. I ate half of it. :0

PS: I did try the Peanut Butter Pie I posted a while back and it was good. I thought it was a little rich and peanut buttery for me, but still good.

Here are a few more photos from our photo shoot I haven’t posted. I’m posting our Schmutz family pictures next and then some of Marie and Brian’s!

Easton was pulling my hair. He loves hair and pulling it.

This is probably one of my favorites.