Count Your Blessings

Last night my spirits were very low. First of all, the exhaustion has really been getting to me lately. I've been averaging 6-7 hours of sleep lately, which is better than the 4 hours I averaged a night the first few months, but still isn't enough for me. I function best when I get 9 hours. My preferred schedule would be to go to bed at 9pm and get up at 6am. Wednesday night (as an example - this is fairly typical) I slept from 9:30-11:15, 11:45-2:45am, and 3:30-5:00am. I should say I was in bed during those time spans as unfortunately it takes me awhile to get back to sleep after nursing Ian. I rarely fall back to sleep super quickly. This morning I put him down after the second feeding at 4:45am and he woke up at 5:30 for the day so that means my third stretch this morning was less than 30 minutes as it took me more than 15 minutes to fall back asleep. The exhaustion causes me in the morning to have a headache, feel rather weepy, sick to my stomach, etc. Usually I feel better within a few hours, but yesterday even while teaching my class I had to work to stay awake. You know you are tired when you could fall asleep standing up while teaching! Usually teaching invigorates me. Not last night. I just wanted to fall asleep ever so badly.

On top of the exhaustion I found out yesterday that my friend forgot about our plans to go to a concert tonight (so I'm not going as I don't like going alone), and Paul told me that he is going to stay in his office (at PSU) on Saturday and Sunday (even spend the night there) to prepare for his orals, which are on Monday. I had told him earlier of my plans to go to the mall on Saturday during the kids' naps so I could get a haircut (haven't  had one in 5 months), pick up the pictures from Sears, and get a free ice cream from Friendly's (if you live near a Friendly's you can get free ice cream between 12-5pm tomorrow). I was really bummed that I wouldn't be able to do these things plus Paul wouldn't be coming to church on Sunday for the annual "Choir Sunday." Choir Sunday at this church is the last Sunday the choir sings before taking the summer off, and we sing four anthems whereas normally we just sing one each week. I think you get the idea. I will end this littany or the post will need to be retitled "counting my woes", LOL. Well when you are feeling down one of the best things to do is count your blessings. So here goes!

1. Nadia peed on the potty this morning! She hadn't done that since Sunday morning, so this was big news! She told me in enough time that I was able to get her on before she started peeing. She also stayed dry during her nap yesterday and when we went shopping at the grocery store and Amish greenhouse today! She pooped on the potty this afternoon, and then had a #1 accident at the park this evening.

2. Ian now weighs 14lbs 12oz! He's been gaining 1 ounce a day lately. His growth spurt is over, but he's still gaining at an appropriate pace. He's up to the 11th percentile for weight!

3. He gives zero resistance to nursing. In fact he gives me big smiles and sometimes even squeals with delight. What a relief!!! In most ways I'll be thrilled if he takes after his big sister, but in this regard I am very glad his preference is different than hers.

4. I was able to shop at a great yard sale today with only Ian in the Snugli since it was at a neighbor's house and Nadia was napping. I spent $24.50, and most of the items were $1. She has a 4 year old daughter and 13 month old son. I didn't buy many things for Ian, but I bet I will buy more for him at her yard sale next year. Most everything I bought was size 2T or 3T for Nadia. I also got her 3 pairs of shoes - a pair of size 6.5 black patent shoes and two pairs of cute size 8 sandals for next summer.

5. I got a few things done the past few days that were long overdue - a little dusting, a little vacuuming, and buying & planting a few flowers. I would have bought more if the kids weren't with me. It was very hard to shop for flowers with 2 under 2 and no shopping cart. I should have brought a stroller!

6. Ian and Nadia bring joy to my heart every single day!!

7. My mom is coming up for a short visit. She'll arrive late afternoon tomorrow and leave right after church Sunday morning.