20 months!

I can't believe my Zoe is already 20 months old! She's such a little girl now, and no longer a baby. She is running everywhere, climbing on tables, and trying with all her might to get the telephone any time it's within reach. She enjoys having her hair put up in ponytails, and always has something to carry around with her. It can be a sippycup, toothbrush, stuffed animal, or remote control. She wants to be outside all the time, as well. We have to be so careful when we open a door to outside, because she will zoom out before you realize she's gone.

Zoe also loves to watch TV, dig in any open cabinet or drawer that she finds, help me load or unload the dryer, and color. She will find any pen, pencil or crayon that is left out, then draw on any piece of paper that she comes across. I guess it's good that she doesn't know that writing instruments work on walls, as well. She also loves the dog, and thinks that he is hilarious. She is a happy girl most of the time, and is always singing or babbling.

If you get her mad, though, watch out! She has a really bad temper, and will throw herself down on the floor and scream. She will also throw her plate of food off the table once she's done, or if she doesn't like what she's been fed. No longer do we have the child who eats everything; she's gotten really picky lately. Her favorite foods right now are Cheetos, M&Ms, ice cream, or any other sweets. If I am eating something that she likes, she comes up to me, spits out her pacifier, and opens her mouth. It's really sweet!

Zoe also loves to admire her reflection in the front of my dishwasher. She will stand in front and rub her hair, then lift up her shirt and admire her belly. It's too cute! She will do this repeatedly for a few minutes, like she can't believe that the little girl she is seeing is really her.

She no longer wants to sit in a high chair, and will not eat if placed in one. She is a "big girl", and big girls sit in chairs like the rest of the family. She will allow us to place her in a booster seat at the table, though she's prefer to eat standing on a chair. She is still willing to ride in her car seat and stroller, which is a good thing!

I am really looking forward to spending the summer with Zach and Zoe. She will go to daycare through the end of next week, while I try to get all the projects done around the house that need to be taken care of. She loves going to school, and will probably miss it, but we are trying to save money this summer. We'll buy pool passes, and I have a feeling the kids and I will be swimming almost every day. Zoe loves the water, so that shouldn't be a problem. She doesn't tolerate heat well, so I guess our swimming will be limited to the evenings.

As soon as I get the newest pictures off our camera, I'll post them to Flickr. I'm off to get my first haircut since Labor Day, and am planning on chopping off a few inches. That means less hair to dry, straighten, and for Zoe to pull. Can't wait!

Where Did May Go?

Wow, it's hard to believe we are already over halfway through May! It's flying by for me, which is not necessarily a good thing.

I survived finals, and ended up with an A in pharmacology and B in microbiology. I'm glad to put those classes behind me, but wish I had learned more in pharmacology. It's not that I didn't try, but rather that our professor did not motivate us to learn. I am sure that will come back to haunt me sometime later in my nursing career.

Finals week did have some extra excitement for us. We got an automated phone call and email from Zachary's school the afternoon of the 3rd to let us know that his school was closed, due to three suspected cases of swine flu. My boss didn't want me going in to work on Monday, because I had volunteered at the school the previous Friday afternoon. After two days at home, Zachary was bored, but starting to think of things to do. We got a phone call Tuesday afternoon to let us know that school was reopening the next day, and a really disappointed little boy went off to school on Wednesday. We ended up being the only school in the district that ended up closing, and there was never any more information about the suspected cases.

I am excited about nursing school, but nervous about all that I have to do this summer in preparation. I have orientation June 3rd, so I will get some more concrete details then. What I know so far is that I have to get several vaccinations, a physical, and bloodwork, take a drug test, be fingerprinted, and take CPR for healthcare providers. According to my friends who have already had their orientation, we have to get one of our textbooks this summer and read it before the fall classes start. I also have to buy the uniform scrubs, a stethoscope, and white nursing shoes. There are so many expenses already, and I am only working for two more weeks. Ouch!

Speaking of work, I am sad that the school year is ending for me this week in preschool. I really did enjoy it, and will miss the kids next year. I could have done a much better job next year, since I now know what to expect. I guess it's something to fall back on if nursing doesn't work out for me. I would like to find something to do this summer, but whatever I would do, I would end up having to pay for childcare for the kids, so that is that much extra that I would have to make. It's so frustrating! I wish I could find something that I could do at home to make some extra money.

I am planning to apply at the local hospital after I complete the fall semester of school. There is a PSN, or Professional Student Nurse position. It's a good way to get my foot in the door and meet people at the hospital in advance of graduation. It will be interesting to see how I will juggle the time to work.

I had a really nice Mothers' Day. We slept late, then Darren cooked breakfast. After Zoe napped, we went to the Mercer Arboretum and walked around there for a while. It was hot, and Zoe can't take the heat, so we didn't stay much longer than an hour. Afterward, we went to Dairy Queen for some ice cream. Darren cooked steak for dinner, and we watched the finale of the Amazing Race. It was a really nice day!

This past week was kind of a wash, because Zoe was sick. She was not feeling well going into the weekend, but there were no definite symptoms. Monday, she went to school and I went to work. She came home and took a second nap, because she was so cranky. Tuesday, she woke up cranky, and I kept her home and took her to the doctor. The diagnosis was a cold. Wednesday, I got a call from daycare just as I was leaving work that Zoe had a fever of 102.5. She cried most of the night, and we went back to the doctor Thursday, where the diagnosis changed to a sinus infection, and we were given antibiotics. That night, the fever continued, she didn't sleep again, and was up at 5:00. Friday, she didn't nap except for two 20-minute periods where she laid on me and snored. Around 10:30, I noticed blood around her mouth, but couldn't see anything suspicious. Off to the doctor we went again, and they noticed a scratch on one of her tonsils. She already wasn't eating, so that made the situation worse. Yesterday, we could tell that Zoe felt a little better, and she took a nap. This morning, she slept until 10:30 after sleeping through the night, then took a two-hour nap. Let's hope she's on the mend, especially since I have managed to stay up so late!

It's always so nice to have the whole summer stretching out in front of me. I hope to be more organized with our time this summer, and not sit around the house watching TV. We are going to buy pool passes, and Zach is going to an art camp at the college for two weeks. I am considering Kindermusik for Zoe, and I have lots of projects that I want to do around the house. The more I get organized, the easier our lives will be in the fall. I just want to get to a point where the house is clean enough that I don't feel guilty getting out my scrapbook stuff, or some other fun thing.

That's enough rambling for one night. Off to bed...

Nearing the Finish Line

This is going to be a quick post to say that the end is in sight with my semester of school. I have my microbiology final Tuesday morning, and my pharmacology take-home final to turn in by Thursday. I may or may not go back and retake some of the quizzes in pharmacology to improve my grade; it all depends on what happens this week.

I bought some new photo software, so I should be able to get back on track with posting pictures. I can't wait!

We had a great time in Lafayette at Festival Internationale, and celebrating Darren's 40th. I think he had a great time, and we enjoyed spending some time with old friends.

Zachary's school is shut down for the next week. It's the only one in Conroe ISD so far, with 3 probable cases of the H1N1 virus. Since I worked at the school Friday afternoon, my boss is not letting me work this week. Great, a week without pay! I have to meet someone in the parking lot tomorrow morning with my lesson plans.

That's about it. More exciting news once I finish school. What will I do with Zach at home all week? Darren will be working at home until Friday, and I sure hope Zoe can go to day care--it's paid for already!