it's been awhile...

goodness gracious it's been a long time since i blogged... since November 11, 2011 to be exact. i didn't even finish my 30 days of gratitude for November. when i realize just how long it's been since i posted pictures of Laela, or printed pictures of Laela to send to the grandparents, or updated the blog, it makes me really hate being a working mom. i am so lucky to only have to work 6 hours a day and still qualify for full benefits, but i ALWAYS bring work home with me... such is the life of a teacher. i always have lessons to plans, notes or homework to create, quizzes to grade, and emails to write. i do love the perks of being a teacher though. i love that i am only gone during school hours... and really only 7:30-2 pm since i'm 3/4 time. i love that i have weekends, holidays, and summers off. i love that JJ has the flexibility to stay with her three days a week, and that one of my best friends watches her (watches her = outside time, snack time, parachute time, books, music and dancing, learning new signs every day, and lots and lots of love) the other two days.

all that being said, if i had a choice, of course i would be home. i'm just always so tired. between my needy baby and my needy students and parents i'm always exhausted and cranky. i also feel badly because Laela usually gets the brunt of that frustration and exhaustion. when i should be taking pictures, teaching her colors, going to the park, writing letters or catching up on my blog, i'm usually in a fog of exhaustion and all i want to do is park my butt on the couch and watch tv or just take a darn nap! i know it's all about prioritization and hopefully i will be able to do better with that and make sure that Lae is getting the best of me and not the worst.

anyways, let's see what's been going on lately.... oh yeah, my girl turned 1!! i'll do a special post just for that a little later on. she had her 12 month appointment (a few weeks late cause mommy spaced it) and the doctor was just amazed... as usual. :) she was 24 lbs, 30.5 inches long, and i forget her head... let's just say it's still big. :) he couldn't believe how advanced she was in both her fine and gross motor skills, and he was blown away by how much she signs. she doesn't say much, which worried me for a little bit (and still worries me if i'm being totally honest) but Dr. Steve told me not to. He said that by 15 months they like to see 5 words... including mama and dada. he even said that the other words can be as simple as hi, bye, uh oh, or no. she already says dada, mama, and night-night. she also says Jenny (my friend who watches her), and "tah" (Jenny's sister), but that's about it. She babbles all the time though so even though i wish she would say more, i'm not super worried. i think she's going to just be one of those kids that just walks up to me one day and says a complete sentence. :)

JJ is doing well. He is still figure skating director at the ice rink here. He has a couple skaters that show a lot of promise and we just love their families.

even though i complain about my job, it really is great. i love the kids, and i love the people i work with. they really make it worthwhile to go to work every day. it's a great job and i feel very blessed to have it and the opportunities that come along with it.

so that's what's happening in our neck of the woods... i will definitely try to do better about keeping up with things. until next time, here is a little nugget for your viewing pleasure. :)