Cha Cha Changes

There is a lot going through my head recently and after several very vivid nightmares and this constant feeling of queasiness it has come to my attention that I need to drastically change something in my life. It could be exhaustion, or maybe just still this inability to accept my new life; but I miss the old me and the way Justin were BC. I get so frustrated with everything I can’t control and I’m so quickly irritated by thoughts of the future. I remind myself how fortunate we are to have a beautiful healthy baby boy, but I just can’t get this nagging feeling that I’m forgetting to do something. Maybe it’s because I didn’t make any goals for myself at the beginning of 2008 or just that I feel so easily forgotten; I feel like I spend all days glazed over and wastefully waiting for the next endless day.

I must own my own burdens and know that this insanity is only temporary. I need to work on my art again…not just the crafty items that have kept me busy for the past two years, but real art with meaning. I’ve decided to start dreading my hair; I’ve always wanted to experience it and it will be the personal change that will help me feel more in control of my life.

We need to plan for our future and seriously look at what financial steps need to be taken in order to pay off all the money we owe.
Speaking of paying off stuff......I'm torn between seriously looking for a full-time teaching position or staying with the library. Recently I contacted my Art Ed professor and she advised me to get in touch with someone at the museum for a non-classroom setting teaching position because unfortunately I found out during student teaching that I didn’t traditional classrooms. To teach at IMA I need two years assisting experience, which is less than I’m making now; but after those two years I have the possibility of making 20+ and hour. Justin is considering his options; and working on his future career move. Currently shelving the idea of the Air Force for possible Police Force so we would not have to move because I’m very excited about the prospect of my sister moving to Indianapolis. Having family close is becoming more important each day. However all this planning concerns me. We had not planned to stay in Indy forever and worry about setting up camp that would in turn be impossible to move.

I wish to write down goals for our family in no particular order so that we might make them tangible: (even though I read somewhere that lists don’t actually motivate people to get things done it just waste time, time I could be working on things on the list.)

Finish front and side planters
Replace old tub with claw-foot tub
Replace van with newer more reliable vehicle
Join or start martial arts class
Finish I-Spy quilt
Rebuild staircase to upstairs
Finish attic and vault living room
Start learning Spanish with Klayton
Finishing painting bedroom
Cut down two trees with Xs & trim front catalpa
Finish back patio
Start garden
Start signing with Klayton
Do mural for Fountain Square
Put up clothesline
Put up privacy fence and picket fence
Dig up bushes
Plan front walk and install
Work with Mary on glass transoms
Start planning cross-country train trip with Jennie
Paint house

At ten weeks he weighed 13lbs 6 oz and was 24 ½ inches long.
Klayton had his first set of shots on the 21st; which were horrible. Even with him having a dose of baby Tylenol it was the worst cry we have ever heard. I think it was worse for us than him. Next time I may ask to leave the room. He immediately went back into the moby for the walk home and was asleep for most of the day. For the next 3 days he was either asleep or crying which made my birthday not so pleasant. Daily life has been pretty consistent, he goes to sleep around 8 or 9 then is up at 1 back down at 2 asleep until 4 then up and ready for the day until we finally give in and get up too at 6. He basically lives in the moby when we are awake, the only time he doesn’t mind being held is a few minutes early in the morning when he is in his bouncey. He likes his naked tummy time after diaper changing and he is starting to like story time as much as music time. It is always a toss up if he likes bathtime, he does like being in the water and forgets that he has to get out and dressed. I think we have a water lover. He fusses pretty much the moment I take him out of the water through his massage until he gets to sleep.

Another thing that I have noticed is how frustrated he gets when he can’t do it himself. He is already trying so hard to stand and sometimes wiggles so much that he feels like he is trying to jump out of my arms. I look forward to the coming weeks when he starts grabbing for objects.

Justin are also excited about our Bradley class reunion with all the babies. Klayton was the only one born at our last meet up and it will be fun to see all the new babies. It seems like almost everyone we know has just had a baby or is pregnant; we wonder who will be next.