Kindergarten Visit

Erc—the kindergarten teacher we all know and love—invited me to bring Easton in to visit her class. She had told them all about him and had said that she would see if I would bring him in.

I came in on Monday, the classroom was colorfully decorated and completely void of children (they were at Music). Erc had a napkin with a handful of goldfish crackers at each chair and was getting ready for the next part of the day. She left to go pick up the kids. Two minutes later nineteen kindergarteners came literally tiptoeing into the classroom and to their seats. (Erc had informed them that they had a very special visitor and that visitor was sleeping).

Then I got to see her in action. She is GREAT with the kids. They listen attentively as she gives specific instructions and she keeps up that 5-year-old energy the entire time (something I definitely could not do).

I proceeded to get Easton out of his car seat and the kids gathered in front of the Story Time chair. Then the questions began. (My mental answers will be in parenthesis)

Does he walk?
What does he eat?
Does he roll on the sidewalk? (Do YOU roll on the sidewalk?)
How much does he weigh?
Can he talk?
When will he get more hair?
Are you still breastfeeding? (Answer and move on to the next kid—quick, quick!)
Why doesn’t he have shoes on?

At this point Easton was not appreciating all of the unfamiliar faces and started crying. He settled right down with his binky but from then on, some kids kept their eyes on him like he was going to explode. And then the questions continued.

Does he go to the bathroom?
(Insert about 5 kids who raised their hands to ask a question and then when I called on them, forgot what they were going to say).
Does he like his pacifier?

Then the kids waved goodbye and we left.

Ah, the innocence.

I didn’t take any pictures, since I figured that most parents wouldn’t appreciate their precious little ones online, but you can see updated pics of Easton on his blog.

I've been a slacker

but here are a WHOLE bunch of pics to make up for it!

Easton normally gets up before I am completely ready for the day--so I let him play while I finish up. Apparently, this day I had worked him too hard and he gave in.
Easton loves the Baby Bjorn, and I love that I can have both hands free. He also enjoys laughing and smiling at that strange baby in the mirror. These two shots are my poor, poor, poor attempts to document it.

I came home from work one day to this. Easton was playing with a toy in the Bumbo chair and daddy got sick of bending over to pick it up when he dropped it, so he created a pillow barrier so it was physically impossible for Easton to drop the toy. I was laughing so hard, I had to take a picture.

We recently got Easton this bouncer station (although he has never actually bounced yet). The doctor recommended something like it so we can finally get rid of that flat spot on the side of his head (which is doing sooo much better). We call it the "backyard" because it has turtles and hedgehogs, and ducks, etc.

Another documentation of what Easton does while I get ready for work. This particular day he was getting tired and whiny (sp?) so I handed him this stuffed horse, he immediately gave it a big hug and cuddled with it and this is the best shot I got of the ordeal.
I'm training him to be a reader--he can even hold the book for himself! Now I just need to figure out how to let him know that we don't need to eat it!
Easton recently found his toes. It is the funniest thing to see him wrestle with himself to get them in his mouth. His leg is trying to kick and his hands can't figure out what is resisting them.

Easton also had his first real excursion outside this week. Check out Lindsey and Steve's blog for pictures!

Breathing Again

This motherhood thing—sometimes the worrying kills me. It started at the doctor’s office. Easton had dropped percentile-wise with his weight (from 25th to just above the 15th). I got lots of questions about how often he eats, how long he eats, was I noticing a difference in my milk production, etc. It was intimidating to a new mom—and I didn’t like it one bit.

Then Easton (who was so good at switching from bottles at the sitters to me) suddenly stopped eating out of bottles. Well, not completely, but his consumption went from 4-5 ounces per feeding to 1-2 ounces. Scary. And this was AFTER the doctor weight lecture, so I got a little more stressed.

I thought it was just because I was away all day during my events two weeks ago, or that he was going through a “distraction” phase and I just needed to get as much down him as possible. Then, I began assuming that I would be leaving work three times a day to go feed him (a possibility, but definitely not ideal). And then I had one last idea.

A week previous, I had switched him from the slow flow nipples to the fast flow nipples. He was eating much quicker from me and I figured that he would appreciate the no-nonsense approach. But then, after the sudden change in consumption, I decided to switch back to the slow flow nipples.

Hallelujah!

Easton is eating again! He still gets distracted (due to his age, I’m sure), but I don’t feel stressed and can breathe again.

Note: Surprisingly, throughout this entire ordeal, he never acted differently. Same smiley, happy baby—just one with not enough food in his belly!

Oh, to be 5 again: Week 11

Nathan*: Mrs. S, Bill* is taking a REALLY long time at his center!

Erc: Bill, are you about finished with your project?

Bill: I haven’t been here for a long time! I’ve only been here for a YEAR!

Erc (as she thinks about how she needs to go over this subject again): Bill, a year is a really long time. Do you mean that you have been at this center for a few minutes?

Bill: Yeah! I’ve only been here for a few minutes!

*Not the children’s real names

I think

that maybe, possibly, spring has sprung in Laramie.

Or that could be just the first phase of spring. I fully expect another wet snow storm before June.

Two things of note happened yesterday.

The snow pile in my front yard finally melted completely (which you wouldn't think is that big of a deal, but it was only ever about 2 feet high).

And, I saw my first shirtless jogger.

I think that officially proves it.

Welcome warmness!

Time with Grandpa

Easton has a darling shirt that reads Grandpa Digs Me (with a excavator pictured) you can kinda see it in this picture. We had to get a picture before he outgrew it.
I included this picture because I love Easton's fake smile.

Update

Get ready for some bullet points.

• I survived the weekend. My back kills (which my paranoid brain thinks is the beginning of another shingles breakout—time will tell), but I survived. Easton did too—I know there was no reason for him not to, but I like to think that he can’t live without me.
  
• I am now in the process of packing up my office. We will be moving on May 14th, and I am determined to have everything ready to go before then—especially since packing will involve a lot more sorting.
  
• Ronnie is beginning to gear up for finals—this means that I see even less of him than normal. This law school business is not for wimps.
  
• We are currently looking for a new place to live—somewhere a little less expensive for the next two years. Oh, how I despise searching for apartments!
  
• So excited to finally share that my sis—Erc is pregnant! She is due October 7th and I’m as excited for her as I was for myself (or as close as a person can get to equal excitement).
  
• But—there’s a catch. They are moving to SLC since Dan received a great job offer. I’m incredibly happy for him, but very bummed out about the timing. (Do people even say bummed out anymore?)
  
• And lastly, I hate when people title their posts “Update” but I couldn’t come up with anything else. Not. One. Thing.

Oh, to be 5 again: Week 10

Henry*: Mrs. S, I’m going to put my project over by the stapler and the tape-ler**.
Erc: The stapler and the what?
Henry: The tape-ler, you know the thing that holds the tape.
Erc: Henry, that is actually called a tape dispenser.

*Not the child’s real name.
**This is my technical spelling of the word. Personally, I think that Henry is brilliant and we should all start calling it the tape-ler. I mean, it rhymes, they usually sit next to each other on any desk, and it is a heck of a lot easier to say than tape dispenser.
***In case you are checking, these asterisks do not reference anything above, but I just wanted to state that I will not be back until next week (BIG events at work this weekend that I am in charge of).

Sorting Winner

First of all, I was going to offer a prize in each category--but then I realized that it didn't matter because Anne Marie (who has a private blog) was the closest on all three!

I am moving 1 box. Just for the record, 20 boxes were shredded (my department handles all scholarships and donors for the college so there was a lot of personal information), and 8 boxes were recycled. Even the shredded stuff will be used in drywall (or something like that--so the shredding company told me).

The oldest document I found was Sept. 17, 1965. Although the documents from 1977 enthralled me the most since they were all typed on carbon paper so our office could have a copy of the letter.

Our office did their accounting by hand in GIGANTIC ledger books until 1993. Not as horrible as I made you all think, but still personal computers were around.

So, thanks for playing! Anne Marie--send me your preferred monogram for the cards and I'll get those right out to you!

Sorting

So I mentioned how I am quite busy at work currently. No, I’m not an accountant (though that would be a logical explanation for craziness at work this time of year).

I’m planning an event for a lot of important people—that is half of the craziness.

The other half is that our entire building has to move.

Into an old dorm building.

It will be as glamorous as you are imagining.

So, as such we are sorting. Sorting old files, office supplies, broken chairs, etc. I know that I am not moving one single thing that I don’t have to. In fact—with every job I’ve ever held, I’ve completely cleaned (or should I say chucked*) all unnecessary items about six months after starting. At that point, I usually have a good idea of what can go.

It is my belief that offices in general keep way too much crap. Yes, I used the “C” word and I’ll say it again. CRAP.

But now I’m going off on one of my pet peeves—so back to the situation at hand.

My office has a store room. I was shown where it was when I started, but have never set foot in it since. Not once. I haven’t searched for a single file down there.

So last week I tackled the job. 25 file boxes and 3 four-drawer filing cabinets.

And now I present a little contest. Answer the following questions.
1. How many boxes am I moving to my new storage room?
2. What date did the oldest document display?
3. Until what year did my department keep their account books by hand?

I’ll close the contest Wednesday, April 16th at 11:59p.m. (One entry per person please).

The prize?

You want to know about the prize?

A set of personalized cards from yours truly. Cuz, let’s face it—that’s about all my pocket book can afford to shell out at the moment.

*When I say chucked, I mean recycled. I am earth friendly. But recycled just doesn't make my heart sing like the word chucked. Say it with me. CHUCKED.

4 months

Last week Easton hit the 4 month mark! Unbelievable. I truly can't believe how time flies! We went to the doctor today (which is why I delayed this post). I present his new stats:

Weight: 13 lbs. 2.5 oz. (20th percentile)

Height: 25.5 inches (75th percentile)

So apparently, we have a long, skinny baby. At least we still have those cheeks! (and the little double chin!)

Easton loves to stand. He is finding his little legs quite fun. When he is tired though, nothing you do will convince him to lock those little knees.
Still not over the dumb faces for the camera. Hopefully someday he forgives his poor parents for keeping these instead of deleting them.
Tummy time--this was not a happy one.
Oh, what a mean mommy who is documenting my torment!
Just kidding--got it!
But I really wish you would stop with the flash!
Easton has also conquered rolling over! He rolled from back to front for the first time the morning of General Conference (April 6th) and then on Friday (April 11th) he rolled from front to back.
A shot of the arching back.
Cute boy--laughing at his momma.
Easton is ultra ticklish when he is naked. Not as much when clothed. Explain that.
He is chewing on EVERYTHING! He especially loves fabric. This little gown made by Aunt Aubrey and Grandma Cali was perfect to chew on. The arms are still a little long.
Delicious.
Mom--the camera is interrupting my meal!

Easton and Brinley--Best Friends

Lindsey already posted these darling shots on her blog, but I thought I would post them so everyone would get a chance to view the precious-ness.

Easton and Brinley. Brinley=so happy. Easton=trying to figure out what that silver thing in front of Lindsey's face is.
Again, Easton shows the face he gives every time I whip out the camera.
Giving kisses--if this isn't the most adorable thing you have ever seen....then you probably have a kid of your own that you love more than mine.
Brinley really going in for the kill! Easton needs to be toughened up if all of the girls are going to react this way!

A Reminder

Just when I was maybe, possibly, in the back of my mind, gearing up, hoping, and starting to think happy thoughts about spring.

Wyoming has to show me who's boss.

I woke up to eight inches of snow yesterday morning.

Enjoy the view from my work window. (And then compare my snow to what is left of Jen’s).

That IS good to know

Yesterday my brother Jord-man was hanging out with Easton. He noticed that Easton had a fresh scab from scratching himself on the nose (with his too long fingernails--I know I should be better at cutting them, but they really need to invent something EASY to use so I don't fear for my poor son).


And he said, "Well, at least we know he has platelets."

Baking WHAT?

My mom, she is a good mom. She tried her best to prepare her daughters (and sons) for the future.

When I was about 15 she started giving my sister and me one night a week that we had to cook. This was a bit intimidating. I had always helped with meals and been in charge of the salad or the dessert, but never the whole thing. I believe this notion stemmed from the fact that when she left her mother’s house, she could make a million excellent salads and desserts, but didn’t really know how to tackle that main dish.

But anyway…so Erc and I cooked. I should probably let it be known that Erc was a better cook than I was. You see, I have always been the planning freak that I am now and as such there was always something else that I needed to be doing (or so I thought) so I was a bit rushed the entire time I cooked.

One night it was my turn to make dinner and I had decided on pancakes. My mom makes pancakes from scratch, so I did not know that Bisquick was an option at this point. I hurriedly mixed up the batch, cooked them, ate, and then scrambled out the door for some sort of practice (probably cheerleading).

My brother and mom were the only two home at the time, so my brother sat down to eat. After a bite he stated “Mom, these don’t taste right.” She took a bite and quickly determined that I had mistakenly put in baking soda instead of baking powder. Big mistake. She chucked the rest of the batch and started over. I still have not heard the end of this one.

Fast forward about three months. It was Sunday and I was helping with the meal. I signed up for Jello (not literally, there was not an actual *sign up* but I vocalized my preference). I retrieved the ingredients (box of Jello, water—man this is tough!), and began preparing my delicious side dish. I quickly finished, placed the dish in the fridge and hurried downstairs to enjoy a Sunday nap. A few hours later we sat down to a nice meal as a family. My dad dished himself some Jello and began to eat. He quickly stopped. And then grabbed a napkin and spit it out.

The Jello was grainy.

In my rush, I had not mixed the powder and boiling water for long enough (they know what they are talking about on that box) and the result was tragic. It takes real skill to mess up Jello.

To this day, every time I make Jello I get very nervous that it might be grainy. Just last week when the missionaries were over I hurried and dished myself the Jello first, took a bite and sighed. It was great.

Please tell me I’m not alone in stupid cooking mistakes. And if you think these are the only two I have, you would be completely wrong. It’s a wonder Ronnie is alive.

In my defense though, once I master a dish—I’m good to go.

Gimme an L!

Some of you know this already, but others may be a bit surprised to learn…

I was a high school cheerleader.

I know what you are thinking. Really, KaLee?

Yes. Yes I was. I don’t so much have that in-your-face-peppyness about me now, but believe me, I can turn it on.

I tried out on a total whim. My friend Michelle and I were discussing the posters in the hall announcing tryouts, and then decided to do it. They were the next day and I went in completely oblivious.

My biggest downfall? I can’t tumble. Not even a cartwheel. I spent hours practicing cartwheels in the basement of my house before the final day of tryouts, but my tryout tumble could be described as a half-crumpled cartwheel at best.

Miraculously, I made the team (selection was slim I suppose).

I ended up LOVING it. Really loving it.

I loved getting ready for the games, being on the field/court and cheering my team on to victory. I loved pep rallies, state competitions and long bus rides with the team (when I say long, I mean Loooooong. In Wyoming, some of your regular season rivals are a 6 hour bus ride away).

There were still those moments of catty girl fights that I dreaded, I had to wear my uniform to school on Fridays (short skirts, yuck), and I did have to explain offense vs. defense to a few of the girls, but it was a great high school experience.

It seems a little strange that something I considered such “a part of me” in high school is no longer a part of my everyday self, but I suppose that is what growing up and maturing is all about.

Do you have any past characteristics that are no longer apparent?

Oh, to be 5 again: Week 9

Last week Erc walked up to a group of her students on the playground. One of them (let’s call him Bruno) was visibly upset.

Erc: Bruno? What is wrong?
Bruno: They (pointing at the group) say that (let's call him Chuck) is taller, but I know he isn’t. I’m 7 and he is only 6, so I am taller.
Erc: Well Bruno, Chuck is taller.
Bruno: No he isn’t! I’m seven!
Erc: Just because you are older doesn’t mean that you are also taller. Everyone grows at different speeds. I’m taller than my sister who is older than me, and my younger brother is taller than me.

An important life lesson learned.

Car seat

Hello! Here is Easton all bundled in his car seat cover from Aunt Denise. I got it out when the weather was a bit warmer, but then it snowed and now it is really, really cold again, so we had to go back to the "dead of winter" cover. I wanted Denise to see we are excited to use it--the weather just needs to cooperate!

An apology

Hi.

Yember me?

It’s KaLee.

I was on a roll with the blogging there for a while. Even I got used to the *almost* daily posting. And I liked it. I enjoy writing, and as long as I’m not boring you to death—I think you enjoy reading it.

But then this little thing called work—up and decided to get busy. And by busy, I mean hair-pulling, no-bathroom-breaks, tightened-shoulders-and-neck busy. I’m keeping myself sane by chanting, “It’ll be over on April 19th, It’ll be over on April 19th.” I have definitely realized that that job on the stock market would NOT have been a good thing to pursue for me.

But on a happy note, Easton is as cute as ever (even though he has his first cold).