Climb Every Mountain

Once we finished breakfast, Laura resumed her favorite activity of standing against the window. It's freezing cold outside, and we were not going anywhere near that windchill.

She can climb up on the couch now, using the little step stool, and up on the edge. And when Laura's done, she can slide herself off the couch via belly. I've always thought the couch was a nice height when Grace was learning to creep, but it's absolutely fascinating watching my ten month old become so mobile. 

She's simply fearless, for better and worse. I've always been more cautious, and I love encouraging my daughter in a safe zone of exploration. 

Will is "gone" for the month - Philadelphia for his pediatric ED and ICU rotations. Fortunately, he's off on Wednesday and Thursday so he can come back for Journal Club and Grand Rounds and I am thrilled. Throughout the month, we'll visit him when we can, and he'll come back too. 

I'm using the time to purge the house. This means I am cleaning out nooks and crannies, and whenever Grace finds something she enjoyed as a baby, she must re-enjoy it. 

Remember how small she used to be? Actually fitting in this car seat! (Bought for her first plane ride at almost 3 months old - going home for Thanksgiving and her baptism.) She's growing up so fast.

Suddenly, it was nap time. You know this time: the girls start rubbing their eyes and fighting a bit more and demanding the iPad. Okay! Everyone upstairs! I lift them over the gate for a race - Grace always wins. Laura always makes sure I'm coming too. 

Today was the first day back at school. Honestly, I'm not ready to be back. I had a great first class and really loved it, but there's still a lot to do before the end of the semester in three weeks. Oh well! We press on; keep climbing. I walked out of the room to prepare lunch post-nap and returned to this:

Sigh. NO TABLE. 

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After dinner, we cleaned up together and went off to play and FaceTime with Dad. Unfortunately, this is much less exciting than trying to tear down the gate (even though it is also tied into place). Laura is just so amazing. I love watching the way her mind works and she tries to understand the world. Fortunately, when I re-direct her (which happens one hundred times a day), she never gets upset but moves seamlessly into the next adventure. 

Surprise, surprise! Our [opened] Christmas presents from Nana and Pappy arrive! Time to climb. 

The transformation from baby to toddler is fun with Grace. Earlier today, she helped me scramble the eggs and then put the lid on leftovers from lunch. As her language and movements are improving greatly, I am starting to look into a special needs homeschool pre-school program put out by Memoria Press. (Disclosure: I work for their online school.) Level A looks perfect for Grace, and I would not have said that when she first turned 2. Amazing what a couple more months of therapy can do!!

As a result, I can see how Grace teaches Laura as well, and that just warms a mama's heart. They are really transforming into the best of sisters and friends, and even though it is a lot more work up front, I am excited we're having the kids so close together. 

After a total meltdown near the end of Dad's call, I ask Grace if she's tired and ready for bed, and she says "yes." So, up the stairs we go! The final ascent of the day. 

I have a hard time capturing still photos these days, but what's the saying? A ship is safe in the port, but that's not why it was built. Here's to another day, another climb, and more adventures with my girls.

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My View (vol. 20)

What I am reading: "18 Reasons Why Doctors and Lawyers Homeschool Their Children" by Kathleen Berchelmann, M.D.

This is an article, not a book. I was privately educated my entire life; Will was half-privately educated, and half-homeschooled (the ultimate private education!) from second through eighth grade. He loved it - it worked well for him. Before we got married, we discussed the possibility of homeschooling the children. I was extremely wary of it, to say the least.

I was hired last fall as a teacher for Memoria Press, for their online classical school, to teach U.S. History (6-8 grade) and AP U.S. History (9-12 grade). The school primarily caters to homeschooling families, and the more I learn about how Memoria operates, the more I think, this is way more manageable and possible! Plus, Will is an awesome teacher. He is patient, informative and always thinks of alternate ways to explain things. And us together? What a solid school!

Homeschooling is not a definite. When the time comes, I will enroll Grace in pre-school and see how she thrives. I am also in love with the Montessori school method, and would be very happy to enroll the kids in that kind of learning environment.

I did not have a bad experience in grade school or high school; but I didn't have the best experience either. I could have used more positive and personal attention from teachers, and less bullying from my classmates. I love how Dr. Berchelmann explains how their schedule works, what works for them, and how homeschooling has enriched their family life.

Besides, Grace already wants to read Will's journal articles:

Favorite eats: Kashi almond bars. Chobain yogurt. Fried chicken and rice (from The Feed Zone). Stawberries!

This week in history: Grace and I flew home yesterday to attend a funeral this morning of a very dear family member. Her death came as a complete shock. I found out via a phone call from my mother: I was sitting in the hospital cafeteria, waiting for Will to give him his dinner. Grace was in her stroller, hamming for anyone who caught her eye. I was in total shock while talking to Mom, and then began sobbing in the cafeteria after we hung up. One of Will's friends/ a fellow resident saw me and offered comfort and a chance for normal conversation to help me pull myself together before walking home. He also took Will his sandwich. I am very grateful for his kindness. Never underestimate the gratitude of comforting the sorrowful.

Also - Grace is a flying rock star. She is also a yogi and future ballerina. She didn't nap very well on the flights, but at least we arrived home in time for a short one.

I also began my online training for graduate school and teaching! Life moves pretty fast.

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And for a laugh, this was me when my mother brought home tea cookies from Busken:


Prayers: Please keep my family in your prayers, and the soul of my mom's cousin.

Next week, I am going to: Have orientation with my students! Hire a babysitter! (Prayers for these too, please.) Grace has an evaluation for OT, and... it will be good to get home and really try to catch up on life, and all the Ignitum Today e-mails backing-up. This summer has been so, so busy, and I am glad to get some routine going. Hopefully Will and I can go play mini-golf too!