Finding time

I titled this blog "Finding Time" because it seems like the story of my life right now. There are so many good and wonderful things going on right now that it's hard to make time (and energy!) to do each of them.

Let me start with a small update of our lives.
Joel:
Just finished his 2nd to last semester of school with straight A's. So proud of you honey! School, work and time at home... how does he do it all? Joel's work also did a 'Biggest Loser' contest offering a gym membership with bootcamp during the 6 weeks of competition. Workers could choose to try it out on their own or go to this bootcamp class (or a little of both I'm sure!). At the half way mark, Joel was in 4th place! Yay! He chose to do this bootcamp along with school and work. The poor guy had a LONG LONG day where he'd be gone from 5am-5pm. His work only listed 1st-3rd places so sadly he didn't get to find out how he  compared. BUT he did win $25 to the Nike store. (woot) I think he's done an amazing job and looks great! These past two months he's lost a total of 25lbs! To add to all of his spare time (note the sarcasm) he has been working outside of our home trying to get our back yard in working order. A few of the things he (along with helpers) have accomplished: digging the back and front yard for a sprinkler system, installing sprinkler system, burying sprinkler system, pulling weeds, planting grass, moving firewood to new location, roto-tilling for a veg. garden, planting the veg. garden, hauling concrete away, clearing rocks/ debris out of yard, preparing and running a 5k. I know there's more he has done since the weather has turned nice but to say the least, we have not had a free weekend in a little. I must also mention that a birthday, anniversary, mothers day and family dinners were amongst all this.

Me:
I don't have nearly the list that Joel does. To be honest, I look back at my last couple of months and find it hard to make a list of things I've accomplished. However, I recognize that being a full time mommy and homemaker is never an easy job. Joel gets to the weekends off from work, but mine just keeps going. 24/7. So to be able to add to that and say I'm 8 months pregnant now... I think it's pretty fair that my list is short. Things I have accomplished include: finishing up nursery, dishes getting done, house getting vacuumed, toys get put away, groceries purchased, 7 freezer meals have been made, everyone is still alive, teaching in church, activities committee for church. :) AND, I haven't quite hit the weight I was when I delivered Bentley. woo :) Finding time and energy to get the normal things done around the house is getting difficult. I've got this surge of energy to clean though. Thank goodness for nesting! Otherwise nothing would get done!

Bentley:
Bentley has probably done the most of all of us these past couple months. Talk about finding time... This little man does not understand how to hold still. Instead of sitting down to play with a toy, he will squat beside them, always at the ready to go-go-go! He's been doing a lot of learning as well. He can now open doors and has thankfully only applied this to the bathroom door so far. I say thankfully because I can just imagine how happy he'd be if he could let himself outside to play or figure out that he doesn't really need to stay in bed... His vocabulary and understand of the world is growing considerably. Words that he uses and how they sound to me include:

Mama: grandma
Papa: grandpa
a guttural sound something like Ing-ya-ing-ya: strawberry milk
Ya-Ya: aunt Megan
Bob: uncle Bob
Daddy and Mommy
sheesh: cheese
sheddar: cheddar
kuck: truck
bus and car
baallll: ball (he adds a few ahh lllll's in there)
cat key or key cat: kitty cat
shadow: shovel
pots: as in pots and pans, which is usually yelled
juice
sandy: sandwich or used when referring to bread itself
ti-tu: thank you
more: more
verbal 'more' accompanied by signing please or verbal 'meese': please
shoes on: shoes
kocks: socks
no and yes
didi: baby
TD:TV
on and off
nigh-night: can mean he is going to bed, wants to lay down, or pacifier
ah-mo: Elmo
ah see: meaning "I want to see"
cow, goose, doggie, puppy
So that's to name a few of the words he understands how to use and can things he can recognize. He also just started understanding that if we ask him "what does a (input animal) say?" that he should respond with the sound of said animal. Currently all animals say 'moo'. :) In the past 2 months he has also decided that he doesn't want to sit in his high chair (or any restaurant high chair) anymore and that he prefers a booster seat. His pick? The chair he learned to sit upright in. Yep, the "bumbo." His legs still fit but probably not for too much longer. But it makes him happy and meals go a lot smoother. He's our big boy now. He has enjoyed spending so much time outside with daddy. He struts around like he's the most important person there ever was. It's cute! :) And he's definitely keeping momma busy. Run, run, run!

I'm so glad this pregnancy is almost over. Only 6-ish more weeks and I'll have a beautiful baby GIRL. Most importantly, I won't be pregnant anymore :) he he he