Joey started the 3rd grade this week. He says great things about it and then will later complain about it, so I don't know if he likes it or not. Tonight was his first night of homework and it was a major struggle getting him through that. That is not a good sign. I hope today was just a bad day and not the norm.
I got an email from the teacher today (the second day of school) saying that Joey is having a very hard time paying attention. It is so frustrating to get notes about things I cannot fix. I would rather get notes saying that Joey burped in class or something like that. I could do something about that.
Poor Joey... he is so tender hearted. Tonight I was tucking him in when I saw that he was crying. He said that Bitty (our cat - his favorite cat) was acting like she was mad at him and he was 'thinking of all the good times they have had together'. I couldn't help but laugh at that a little.
Last week, Joey told us out-of-the-blue that before Evan came along he had cried and asked God to give him a brother, and Evan is his dream come true. I wish I could have recorded that! I bet he will deny he said that in a few years when Evan is breaking his toys.
8/23/08
We're still here
I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted.
Well, since April...
I (Andi) worked for two months at B&W on their proposal team and helped with two large-scale proposals. That was an exciting job but the hours were rough. I worked 6 or 7 days (70+ hours) a week. I was so exhausted when it was over and I am now just home with the kids until a new job comes along. I was happy for the break at home. The problem is that I forgot how being home isn't really a "break"! ...so now I'm looking forward to going back to work. However, this time I will look for a job with normal hours.
Joey starts the 3rd grade on Monday, Aug. 25. He had to have six 5-subject notebooks. I have a feeling there is going to be a lot of homework for me to help him with. I'm not looking forward to that. Joey is very excited about school starting and he keeps saying how he loves to learn and he loves school. I imagine all of that will change after 2 weeks.
Evan is 9 months now. He is 23+ lbs. and 28+ inches. He is crawling really good and pulling up to stand. He hasn't stood without holding on yet, but I see him trying and he's real close. I am slowly rearranging the house after I see what all he can reach and get into. Today, I moved the cat food and water to a higher place. I was tired of cleaning up water after Evan finds it. Evan fell off the bed after a nap a few days ago and scratched his nose up. No more naps on the bed!
Jonathan is still working and building Halloween stuff. He came up with a name for our yard haunt, Grim Hollow. He talked about wanting a website, so I decided to make him one. I didn't know if I could do it, but I have managed to get one started. It's a long ways from being done, but it is coming along... it is www. grimhollowhaunt.com
Jonathan updates his blog on there quite often and he already has a lot of fans!
Well, since April...
I (Andi) worked for two months at B&W on their proposal team and helped with two large-scale proposals. That was an exciting job but the hours were rough. I worked 6 or 7 days (70+ hours) a week. I was so exhausted when it was over and I am now just home with the kids until a new job comes along. I was happy for the break at home. The problem is that I forgot how being home isn't really a "break"! ...so now I'm looking forward to going back to work. However, this time I will look for a job with normal hours.
Joey starts the 3rd grade on Monday, Aug. 25. He had to have six 5-subject notebooks. I have a feeling there is going to be a lot of homework for me to help him with. I'm not looking forward to that. Joey is very excited about school starting and he keeps saying how he loves to learn and he loves school. I imagine all of that will change after 2 weeks.
Evan is 9 months now. He is 23+ lbs. and 28+ inches. He is crawling really good and pulling up to stand. He hasn't stood without holding on yet, but I see him trying and he's real close. I am slowly rearranging the house after I see what all he can reach and get into. Today, I moved the cat food and water to a higher place. I was tired of cleaning up water after Evan finds it. Evan fell off the bed after a nap a few days ago and scratched his nose up. No more naps on the bed!
Jonathan is still working and building Halloween stuff. He came up with a name for our yard haunt, Grim Hollow. He talked about wanting a website, so I decided to make him one. I didn't know if I could do it, but I have managed to get one started. It's a long ways from being done, but it is coming along... it is www. grimhollowhaunt.com
Jonathan updates his blog on there quite often and he already has a lot of fans!
4/2/08
Joey's foot, Evan's bad day, Andi's job quest
Evan had a rough day. This morning I was holding him in my lap while sitting at the computer desk and he suddenly flopped forward and bumped his nose on the edge of the desk. I can't find any marks on his face though. He cried like it hurt. Then, later on he was in his activity chair/rocker thing and I heard him crying hard so I ran in the room and found him laying on the floor. Guess I need to start actually strapping him into that thing now. He also messed his diaper so bad several times that his upper back was affected (if you know what I mean). yuck.
I think Evan might have some acid reflux (or something like that). He has been fussy during the night and then I tried propping him up on a pillow and he slept pretty good for the last two nights. He must not be able to sleep flat.
Joey decided to jump from halfway up the stairs onto the floor last night. So, this morning we were off to doctor because his foot was still hurting and he was pretty upset. His foot was fine - just probably bruised. I think that Joey was more worried than I was because it was his foot with the lawnmower injury. As soon as the doctor told him it was okay, he went right on back to jumping around the house like nothing happened.
Nothing new with Jonathan. He's back to working, sleeping, and schooling this week.
Max and Bitty have been smacking each other all day.
I went to that job interview this past Monday. It wasn't a good one. The job seemed like what I might have been looking for but the pay was terrible and the people were strange. Also, the office was a dump and in a crappy part of town. Kelly Services keeps on calling me trying to get me to work one of their temp jobs available but they can't seem to understand that I can't work unless I make enough to pay for daycare, bills, and have some left over. Otherwise, it just ain't worth it.
I think Evan might have some acid reflux (or something like that). He has been fussy during the night and then I tried propping him up on a pillow and he slept pretty good for the last two nights. He must not be able to sleep flat.
Joey decided to jump from halfway up the stairs onto the floor last night. So, this morning we were off to doctor because his foot was still hurting and he was pretty upset. His foot was fine - just probably bruised. I think that Joey was more worried than I was because it was his foot with the lawnmower injury. As soon as the doctor told him it was okay, he went right on back to jumping around the house like nothing happened.
Nothing new with Jonathan. He's back to working, sleeping, and schooling this week.
Max and Bitty have been smacking each other all day.
I went to that job interview this past Monday. It wasn't a good one. The job seemed like what I might have been looking for but the pay was terrible and the people were strange. Also, the office was a dump and in a crappy part of town. Kelly Services keeps on calling me trying to get me to work one of their temp jobs available but they can't seem to understand that I can't work unless I make enough to pay for daycare, bills, and have some left over. Otherwise, it just ain't worth it.
3/31/08
Soccer, back to school, a moose and a pet door
Joey has been to a couple more soccer practices and is doing very well. He is getting so much better at not being so frustrated when the ball is kicked away from him or he falls down. Joey is a perfectionist and quite hard on himself. He puts 110% effort in everything he likes to do. Joey was out of school this past week on spring break. He told me tonight as he was getting ready for bed that he was excited about going back to school. He said "I love to learn and I like to follow the directions. I don't think other kids like to, but I do." I don't know where on earth he gets this excitement about school from but I'm glad he doesn't hate it.
Evan seems to love the "noggin" channel on tv. He especially gets excited when Moose A. Moose comes on. It is a yellow moose that comes on during commercials. He will laugh and smile at the screen whenever he hears that moose. He also seems to really like the cartoon called "Oswald". Evan has decided to go back to waking up every 2 hours at night. I'm trying to convince him to go back to waking every 3 to 4 hours.
Jonathan installed our cat entrance on our basement door recently. I'm glad we no longer have to leave the door to the basement open all the time. We had to buy the pet door made for dogs since Max would not fit through the little "cat doors". Jonathan is back to working 3rd shift starting tonight. He had been working during the day for the past couple of weeks while training.
I (Andi) have a job interview tomorrow. I doubt it is "the" job I am looking for, but it is the only call I've received so I will at least check it out and make sure. It is for an Office Manager position at EHS mental health support services. I do like working with mental people. I guess I like them because they never pick up on my weirdness since they are much more weird than me.
Evan seems to love the "noggin" channel on tv. He especially gets excited when Moose A. Moose comes on. It is a yellow moose that comes on during commercials. He will laugh and smile at the screen whenever he hears that moose. He also seems to really like the cartoon called "Oswald". Evan has decided to go back to waking up every 2 hours at night. I'm trying to convince him to go back to waking every 3 to 4 hours.
Jonathan installed our cat entrance on our basement door recently. I'm glad we no longer have to leave the door to the basement open all the time. We had to buy the pet door made for dogs since Max would not fit through the little "cat doors". Jonathan is back to working 3rd shift starting tonight. He had been working during the day for the past couple of weeks while training.
I (Andi) have a job interview tomorrow. I doubt it is "the" job I am looking for, but it is the only call I've received so I will at least check it out and make sure. It is for an Office Manager position at EHS mental health support services. I do like working with mental people. I guess I like them because they never pick up on my weirdness since they are much more weird than me.
3/22/08
USING FLICKR: How to order prints and navigate
I used to use the online Kodak Gallery to store photos but then realized that the quality of my pictures are reduced when I upload them on there. Then when our computer crashed last summer and lost a lot of original pictures... I was upset.
SO, I found Flickr. The reason I started using it was because I can upload pictures on there and the quality remains just as good as if you had gotten it straight from my camera's memory card. You can download the pictures to your own computer and you can also order prints.
However.... the Flickr site isn't quite as easy as the kodak gallery for some users.
I have written out some instructions to help you out...
FIRST
Sign In
If you already have a yahoo account, flickr is through yahoo, so use your yahoo sign in.
You can click HERE to sign in now.
If you don't have an account yet, you'll have to create a free one for yourself.
You can click HERE to do that.
After signing in, go to our flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/andigraham/
FINDING CERTAIN PHOTOS:
You can search for specific photos by entering "tags" or words. There is a search box in the top right hand corner that has gray text in it ("search andigraham's photos).
Click in that box and enter one or more words. For example, type in "Joey" to see all pictures with Joey in them. Type "Christmas" to see all Christmas photos or "March 2008" to see this months photos. You can also type in "Joey Evan 2008" to see all pictures taken in 2008 with both Joey and Evan in them.
ORDERING PRINTS:
Click on a picture you would like to order.
Right over top of the picture is bunch of small words.
Click on the words that say, "Prints & More", choose the sizes and quantities and "add to cart".
DOWNLOADING PICTURES TO YOUR COMPUTER:
Click on a picture
Right over top of the picture, click on the words that say, "All Sizes".
At the top, you can click on all kinds of different sizes of the picture.
When you find the one you want, click on "Download the (whatever you chose) size".
SO, I found Flickr. The reason I started using it was because I can upload pictures on there and the quality remains just as good as if you had gotten it straight from my camera's memory card. You can download the pictures to your own computer and you can also order prints.
However.... the Flickr site isn't quite as easy as the kodak gallery for some users.
I have written out some instructions to help you out...
FIRST
Sign In
If you already have a yahoo account, flickr is through yahoo, so use your yahoo sign in.
You can click HERE to sign in now.
If you don't have an account yet, you'll have to create a free one for yourself.
You can click HERE to do that.
After signing in, go to our flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/andigraham/
FINDING CERTAIN PHOTOS:
You can search for specific photos by entering "tags" or words. There is a search box in the top right hand corner that has gray text in it ("search andigraham's photos).
Click in that box and enter one or more words. For example, type in "Joey" to see all pictures with Joey in them. Type "Christmas" to see all Christmas photos or "March 2008" to see this months photos. You can also type in "Joey Evan 2008" to see all pictures taken in 2008 with both Joey and Evan in them.
ORDERING PRINTS:
Click on a picture you would like to order.
Right over top of the picture is bunch of small words.
Click on the words that say, "Prints & More", choose the sizes and quantities and "add to cart".
DOWNLOADING PICTURES TO YOUR COMPUTER:
Click on a picture
Right over top of the picture, click on the words that say, "All Sizes".
At the top, you can click on all kinds of different sizes of the picture.
When you find the one you want, click on "Download the (whatever you chose) size".
3/20/08
3/19/08 - nothing major
Today...
- Evan used up a lot of diapers
- A&D Ointment works GOOD
- Joey and I baked cookies tonight
- Jonathan said he is sure he did good on his Algebra test
- Jonathan's car is acting up... something about a plug wire?
- He just paid the car off in the last couple of weeks...
- I did not rock Evan to sleep at all today and it went very well
- I put Evan in his swing when he was sleepy and he went right to sleep himself
- Tonight I laid him in my bed and that took a while but he did eventually go to sleep himself
I need to go to sleep!!!
3/18/08
Family Updates - 3/18/08
Evan is 4 months old now. He weighs 18.6 pounds. He is killing my back... seriously! He figured out that he could flap his arms this week and looks like he is trying to fly away! He laughs more and more each day and he loves to stick his tongue out at momma and daddy. He got shots this past friday and has some stomach upset ever since. He makes even more dirty diapers now and they are reallllyyy nasty. This morning, he pooped all over me and himself. I went to change him and clean him up but before I could get another diaper on him, he peed all over everything. I figured it was time for a bath so I laid him on a blanket while I started the water. He pooped on the blanket.
Joey is 8 years old and doesn't seem much bigger yet. He started soccer this past Friday. It was his first practice. He did pretty good. We were worried he would get overly upset when he couldn't get the ball or felt like he messed up. He didn't though and did good. He even stopped in the middle of the game to help another boy who fell. When the coach had all the kids line up and race to the other side of the field, Joey was obviously the fastest runner. I believe he gets that from Jonathan! Joey also got his report card on Friday and had all A's and B's and is on honor roll again.
Jonathan has been starting Halloween prop creations already. He is working on some lanterns that will flicker and started on more tombstones. He also got a new fullsized skeleton. Jonathan was asked to play drums in a band again. He practiced with them once but he says he really doesn't want to continue so he might drop out. He sounded very good playing with them though! Jonathan has been working first shift hours a lot lately due to training. He will work some more first shift this coming week. He is moving back to "TRT". All I know is that means he will be "behind the fence" (not at the roadway/front gate). Jonathan is still working hard on his college classes. He will be working on his 3rd speech this week. He is making all A's and making me look like a dummy. Just kidding.
I, Andi, am still looking for a job. I have sent resumes to at least 15 or more places, but have not received any calls. I am nervous about starting work since it will be really hard taking two kids where they need to go and picking them up and then coming home to try to take care of the house while two kids want my attention. AND I will have to do this with little sleep if Evan stays in his current routine. I know lots of mothers do this but I don't think I'm going to be good at it. I really hope I have an exceptionally understanding boss! Even though I have days where I feel like I'm gonna lose it being at home, it would be nice to find a work from home job. However, after much searching I feel that these jobs are about as elusive as a sasquatch. I think I would actually have more luck finding a sasquatch. I have just started going to UVA on Tuesdays. There will be 8 in total. They are parent-training sessions that go along with a study called a "friendship clinic". This is something that is going to help Joey learn to make and keep friends. They also try to help parents build better relationships with the child in the process. So far, I do believe this will help. It is free so I can't lose!
Joey is 8 years old and doesn't seem much bigger yet. He started soccer this past Friday. It was his first practice. He did pretty good. We were worried he would get overly upset when he couldn't get the ball or felt like he messed up. He didn't though and did good. He even stopped in the middle of the game to help another boy who fell. When the coach had all the kids line up and race to the other side of the field, Joey was obviously the fastest runner. I believe he gets that from Jonathan! Joey also got his report card on Friday and had all A's and B's and is on honor roll again.
Jonathan has been starting Halloween prop creations already. He is working on some lanterns that will flicker and started on more tombstones. He also got a new fullsized skeleton. Jonathan was asked to play drums in a band again. He practiced with them once but he says he really doesn't want to continue so he might drop out. He sounded very good playing with them though! Jonathan has been working first shift hours a lot lately due to training. He will work some more first shift this coming week. He is moving back to "TRT". All I know is that means he will be "behind the fence" (not at the roadway/front gate). Jonathan is still working hard on his college classes. He will be working on his 3rd speech this week. He is making all A's and making me look like a dummy. Just kidding.
I, Andi, am still looking for a job. I have sent resumes to at least 15 or more places, but have not received any calls. I am nervous about starting work since it will be really hard taking two kids where they need to go and picking them up and then coming home to try to take care of the house while two kids want my attention. AND I will have to do this with little sleep if Evan stays in his current routine. I know lots of mothers do this but I don't think I'm going to be good at it. I really hope I have an exceptionally understanding boss! Even though I have days where I feel like I'm gonna lose it being at home, it would be nice to find a work from home job. However, after much searching I feel that these jobs are about as elusive as a sasquatch. I think I would actually have more luck finding a sasquatch. I have just started going to UVA on Tuesdays. There will be 8 in total. They are parent-training sessions that go along with a study called a "friendship clinic". This is something that is going to help Joey learn to make and keep friends. They also try to help parents build better relationships with the child in the process. So far, I do believe this will help. It is free so I can't lose!
3/16/08
Starting this blawg
I thought maybe this would be a good thing to do so that family and friends can know about any important or unimportant happenings in our world. Maybe you will want to create a blog about you and your family as well.
Since it is hard to talk on the phone much with a squirming baby in my arms I figured I could get at least find the time to write a few lines on here every now and then. ...or it might just be another one of those many things that I start and never finish. I have every intention of keeping it updated though. I think I can... I think I can...
Since it is hard to talk on the phone much with a squirming baby in my arms I figured I could get at least find the time to write a few lines on here every now and then. ...or it might just be another one of those many things that I start and never finish. I have every intention of keeping it updated though. I think I can... I think I can...
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