Nothing Much...

Well, Stirling had his first run-in with the cat today. RJ told me that Stirling cornered Ralph and got excited and a little grabby. Ralph didn't enjoy that, so now Stirling has a scratch on his head. It isn't bad at all and I am sure it is just the first of many cat-inflicted injuries to come.
RJ kept Stirling at home today. I had a big performance review and wanted to get to work earlier than normal. I think my review went ok.... they haven't given us any feedback yet. It is such a weird way to evaluate us- they have a checklist of items they are looking for and we have to do all of the items in just 20 minutes. Normally we would never try to accomlish all the things they ask for in a 20 minute lesson, so it just feels so bogus having to put on this dog-and-pony show just for the sake of a review. Oh well. Now it is over and done with- thank goodness.
Spring break is in a few more weeks. I can't wait to have some time off. We aren't going to go anywhere out of town since RJ's schedule has just changed and is a touchy subject right now. But maybe we will go to the county fair and see the animals!!
Let's see.... other updates.... Stirling loves baths, really likes being outside, and has started eating solids like cheese, corn puffed cereal, cracker types things, cut up fruit, etc. He also enjoys pulling all of the pots and pans out of the cupboards, and gazing into the fridge! He doesn't nap well, but sleeps 11 hours a night. RJ and I are suffering from really bad allergies this year, and we are hoping to move in June/July. I think that about does it as far as news from the Woods!

Just Another Day

Well, here it is Sunday again.... boy weekends go quickly. I did take Thursday off to take Stirling to his doctor's appointment since I hadn't been to one since he was just a few months old. We are still with the replacement pediatrician since our first doctor went on maternity leave. The new doctor is nice, but I am hoping our original one decides to reopen her practice soon. Anyway, Stirling is nice and healthy- 80th percentile for weight, and 95th percentile for height. He is starting to stand on his own for a few seconds at a time, and he tries to climb on everything- our new computer desk is a favorite, as is the dishwasher! It was nice to have an extra day to spend with my little boy to watch him go and go! I just don't get enough time with him, or with RJ either. We work so hard to pay for him to be in day care all day.... hmmmm.... And after a day like I had at work on Friday, it just doesn't seem to be work it. Let's just say, ever since the principal went on medical leave, the vice principal has really changed things. Some for the better, but some things have become terribly micro-managed.
Tomorrow is RJ's birthday, which means I better go make a cake- darn it! I had better wrap a few presents too, while I'm at it.

Nature Baby

Stirling loves being outside. Here are a few pics of him enjoying our great Yuma weather.

Christmas Photos- Really Late!

Ok, here are some pics from our Christmas celebrations this year- our house, the Smead house, the Samples house, and the Woods house. Stirling had several first Christmases! It was a great time with all our family and friends.

Sick

We have been taking turns being sick lately. RJ had a slight cold, then Stirling was sick with a cold for almost two weeks, then RJ got a bad cold. Now I am sick. I think it is a touch of the flu- stomach and sinuses are bothering me. I am feeling better today than I did yesterday, and certainly better than I did on Sunday. I am taking tomorrow off anyway... I'll never get all the way better teaching all day in a room full of germy 10 year olds! I think my class is probably where the germs origniated. One girl in my class even threw up in class this week... and then 42 others said, "Mrs. Woods, I feel siiiiick...." You have to imagine that said in a pitiful little whine! Anyhow, I am looking forward to having a day off to lay around and take naps, possibly answer some email and clean the bathroom. Yes, I am looking forward to cleaning the bathroom- it gets done so rarely these days! And since I am going to a workshop/training this Saturday, I feel justified taking a sick day.
And can I take a moment to rant? The Saturday training is an English Immersion training- so that we can effectively teach ELL students. But, the ELL students have been segregated into their own speical classes, so why do I have to learn the strategies to teach them, if they are not even going to be allowed in a regular ed classroom? (Which was a stupid decision in the first place!) It seems like a waste of my day off to be taking this training. Ok, enough ranting for now! There will be more to come- budget crisis in Arizona education... duhm, duhm, duuuuhm.

Changes

Wow! I can't believe how fast time flies by. So much has happened in the last month. Stirling now has two teeth on bottom, and two almost in on the top. He has moved from scooting on his belly to crawling so fast I can hardly keep up, to pulling himself up on the furniture and cruising around the room. He can even stand a few seconds at a time occasionally. He is only satisfied if he is standing or moving around. And, much to my surprise and dismay, he is climbing the stairs!!! I thought I had a few more months until he was this mobile! Stirling is very active for an almost 8 month old.
Stirling also went on his first airplane trip just after Christmas. He was so good on the airplanes- he got fussy only once and calmed right down as soon as I stood up in the aisle with him for a few minutes. I was in worse shape than he was- especially on our way home when weather derailed our original travel plans. We ended up taking an extra day, and extra flight, and $500 extra to get home. Yikes! I have decided that I enjoy the sun and 70 degree weather and don't need to go up to Washington during December anymore! There was sooooo much snow, and then soooo much flooding. Family and friends are all invited down to warm, sunny Arizona next Christmas. Overall, though, it was really nice to see everyone and see have everyone meet Stirling. He enjoyed meeting everyone. He really is the most easygoing baby ever. He didn't mind all the people at the family get together (though he did prefer some people over others) and loved the dog. I am so impressed and so proud of how well he did. I should learn from him just to take everything as it comes....

Hello Again!

Happy Christmas Eve!!

Well, as I predicted in my first blog, this has taken a (way) back burner to the rest of my life. Working full time and being a mommy hasn't left much time for goofing around on the computer. Stirling has gotten so big in the last few months. He is seven months old today!!! and is a happy, active baby. He has started following me from room to room- not quite crawling, but scooting along on his belly pretty quickly! He can also kind of pull himself up on things (the bottem step, his bouncy chair, mom's lap) and tries to climb up whatever he can. He is busy right now talking to his toys on the floor! Teething is the next new challenge for all of us. We think he is cutting his first tooth, though it is hard to tell since we can't get a good look at his mouth. It amazes me how fast Stirling changes. It seems like everyday he can do something new, and I can't really remember the day before. His first months have flown by.

RJ is working today, but we are looking forward to spending this evening and tomorrow together. Then on Friday Stirling and I are flying up to Washington to visit all the family. It will be Stirling's first flight, and I'm nervous about how he will do, especially being cranky from the teething. Looking forward to seeing family, though not all the snow and freezing temperatures!