shocker

I know this post will come as a shocker to anyone who must be bored out of his/her mind to think to check this stale blog, but it makes me sad to think I abandoned this so long ago. I think that since Damon took over, it was hard to keep up since he is such a better writer and was much better about the updates (not to mention so much more thorough). But I am now back to work and I can't tell you how hard it is to leave Emmett everyday. Especially Mondays after I've had the whole weekend to spend with him. I think he is pretty aware of my leaving in the mornings too--although he does say "BYE-BYE" pretty easily and with a big grin, especially if he is already eating breakfast. I have to say that this 15-19 month time has been pretty amazing to watch. I feel like he is so much more aware and learning crazy stuff everyday. I am constantly amazed at what he remembers. Okay, Damon walked by and now the secret of my update is over...see you in ten more months.

friends

Emmett likes to play with his friends.

october comes and goes

Time is zooming by and it's hard to even find enough time to get a haircut or scrub the toliet, let alone post on the blog. But this post isn't going to be about the fact that I'm never able to post, no sir, it's going to be about all of the new and exciting things happening in my life.

I love my son. More than anything. He is the best thing ever.

it's been a long time, a long lonely time

I am in shock that it's been a whole month and I haven't found time to post on the 'ol blog. Things are nuts! This school year is by far the busiest and most stressed I've been since I've started teaching. There are all of these new changes at the school, which is creating a busy day for me. Not to mention trying to squeeze in pumping every three hours. Actually, Damon is usually able to come by with Emmett so I can feed him, which is a billion times better than pumping. I had no idea being a working mom can be so tough. I have a new appreciation for all working moms, especially single ones (like my mother-in-law). I can't imagine.

The big news over here in the Green-Todd household are---TEETH! Last week when my mom was here caring for Emmett while Damon was in Chicago, she spotted E's first tooth. And today you can clearly see the second tooth right next to the first. Baby has been a little more cranky over the last few days since he's teething, but really, not too bad. Emmett made the mistake of biting me once while nursing. He'll never do that again. If you look very closely in this picture, you can see the begining of the first tooth (this pic was taken last week.)

busy

Ugh. Things have been a little nuts on this end for the last few weeks. Our trip to Clear Lake was fun, although I think that we realized that our little guy is now very keen to his surroundings and can't just sleep anywhere anymore. We had a rough couple of days when we got there, with him waking every two hours. He settled into more of a normal routine, only to do the same waking business when we returned home. I think we are now back in a groove with one very short waking per night. I am trying to ween him off of the night feeding gradually by pulling him off the boob after shorter intervals of time. We are down to about 10 minutes, then I put him in his crib with his monkey and he falls back asleep on his own. Actually, he has been great with all sleeping and is able to put himself to sleep for naps as well. He needs to have his monkey (Blah-Blah) and all is good.

As for me, I somewhat returned to work last week. It was informal meetings and setting up the classroom and next week is the real deal--8:00-4:00, meetings all day. It was a nice transitional week, as my schedule was more flexible and I was able to run home for a feeding or to relieve Damon to run an errand. I was very emotional and cranky the first few days and I know all of this is going to take some getting used to. I am so lucky that it's Damon staying at home with Emmett and that we live so close to my work, but I am also incredibly jealous and wish we could all be at home together. I am also very excited to be returning to a job that I really love and this year is going to be even more special as Belinda is working with me in the same classroom. One added bonus of working with Belinda is that the pumping at work thing won't be as complicated as it could be if I shared the room with a stranger. Lucky Belinda, gets to see me in my double-pumping corset bra. Very sexy.

portland and new favorite toy

Emmett and I just returned from a short visit up in the Pacific Northwest. We flew up to visit Angela, Scott and Tyler and had a great visit. Tyler and Emmett became fast friends and Tyler was sweet as can be, showing Emmett how to push buttons on his toys and making E giggle. Tyler even gave Emmett his new favorite toy--this beach ball. He loves it and it's pretty stinkin adorable how he uses his hands and feet to play with it. He looks like a little monkey baby. Anyhow, we had a fabulous time and the only bummer was, I forgot my camera, so hopefully Angela will pass along her pictures.

Today Emmett is five months old. I can't believe how fast time is going by. Plus, Damon's last day in the office is Friday! I am so excited for him. Next week we go on our last vacation of the summer. Good times will be had. Then it will be back to work for me--ugh.

oompa loompa