Here’s a very brief overview.
1.) Started and finished yet another semester of school (knocked out 14 credits of G.E.s + 4 “for my art edification” auditing life sculpture again)
2.) AuTeen started driving. (wait, that was last year) O_o
3.) Had a “couch surfer” (aka extended houseguest) for a couple of months. That was a nightmare and a crash-course in TOLERANCE and coping skills.
4.) Went to Biltmore with my beloved for our anniversary and came home with a very special piece of jewelry for a certain finger, on a certain hand!!! ;-D
5.) Discovered that we are expecting a baby!!! Big, happy SURPRISE. (btw, the “cheese puff is due mid-October)

***everything else is a bit of a blur***

6.) oh yeah. finally got rid of couch surfer.
7.) started search/process of buying our first home. (it has been quite a roller coaster in this economy, and to find something big enough in our budget)
8.) started taking 2 summer classes online
9.) traveled to oklahoma & texas w/parents & twill (Grandmom is turning 91 this year, so I wanted to visit before I get caught up in new baby lost-time-mode) – also had family reunion.
10.) getting back involved with the AP community.
11.) Twill is turning 4 next month! Time FLIES!
hew:

I realize it’s definitely valuable to catalog all this life change, so I’ll probably start posting more regularly. I just hope it’s not too much info, or boring. If so, I guess no one has to read it. lol

hope this finds you well!

Au-Teen recently joined the South Florida Homeschool Key Club (a service-oriented social club). He says all the teens there are cool. He was SO RELIEVED to find others that “feel his pain”. lol (He’s referring to the solitude, which he finds nicer than dealing with standard public school hooligan issues, but is still new and different.)

We are signed up for some core classes through Florida Virtual School – FLVS. FLVS is a FREE, state-run online school in which students may study full-time or part-time. The students are assigned to a virtual class. The teachers are available for questions from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

I have subscribed to several local homeschool Yahoo! groups. I have learned about all types of social activities that the kids can participate in. They all have weekly or bi-monthly park days, field trips, etc.

We also went to a meeting, lecture, and ice cream social put on by the Broward Christian Homeschoolers (BCH) group. The Key Club volunteered to setup, conduct the ice cream and concessions sale/fundraiser, and clean up afterward. Au-Teen met another teen guy that had circumstances that were uncannily parallel to his own. So they really hit it off.

And the BEST part is that I’m now “required” to spend even more QUALITY time with my son. It’s so easy to get caught up in our own thing, while our teens are doing THEIR own thing. This is proving to be a beautiful opportunity for both of us! And it also legitimizes many of the otherwise mundane and seemingly “pointless” household chores… they count as “LIFE SKILLS” in school!

I will continue to post updates as we get even more plugged into this new and wonderful world of homeschool!

Please LEAVE A COMMENT about your experience (or exposure) to homeschool, or ways that you have connected with your teen.

Today our sweet Twilli Pie turns 1 year old!! It has been an amazing ride so far. She has grown and changed so much. Yet she is still the same unique person that she has been since she was born, this day, one year ago. A birthday wouldn’t be complete without remembering the BIRTH. Twilli’s birth was an amazing story! Read about the “3 Minute Baby” made her grand entry.

You can see more photos of Twilli on 21st Century Dad’s Flickr photostream.

I have a few things I’d like to share with Twilli.

Twilli, today we celebrate your birthday. You were already very present to us BEFORE you were born. But it was such a blessed day when we finally got to see you! Touch you. Hold you.

You have grown so much. We have grown so much! You have already taught us so much about life… about how to LIVE in the present. You are a divine teacher. You have gently taught us how to transcend fear. You have shown us that the birth process is a beautiful thing! You have helped us come back to things that we had somehow forgotten or brushed off… as humans. You have taught us the joy and warmth of attachment! You introduced us to babywearing! You have given us superpowers! (Yes, even when all you wanted to do was nurse, I was thrilled to be able to bond with you and care for your most basic need in such a natural, loving way!) You have helped us find new careers… new callings! You helped us extend our old skills, too! You have even helped your daddy embrace his Korean roots!

We know you will do amazing things. Heck, you already have done amazing things! Thank you for being awesome! Thank you for choosing us. Thank you for being YOU! We love you more than anything!

Happy Birthday Twilli!!!

There used to be a national babywearing organization called NINO: Nine In Nine Out. It supported the theory that the first 9 months of a baby’s life is an extension of the womb.

I DEFINITELY agree with the theory. Wearing your baby helps them feel safe and secure.

If I had not been able to WEAR THE BABY, there is no way I would have been able to work from home, or get ANYTHING done, for that matter! And breastfeeding has been a Godsend!! Literally. Not only is is the perfect food, mama milk is SAFE anxiety and pain meds for Twilli.

Babies crave SOOOOO much attention, guidance, and closeness. I am so thankful for the bond between us that has been facilitated by babywearing!

I also am so grateful that I can channel my creative talent, by making slings, to help others bond with their baby in STYLE!

Today we rejoice the second birth of Twilli! She IS a new person. She is mobile now (army crawl). She feeds herself. She drinks from the sippy cup. She has 4 teeth. Her fine motor skills are increasing daily. She poops in the toilet. (Can you tell I’m proud?)

A friend of mine is taking us to the beach today to celebrate. I have my fabulous water sling, so I can safely take her in the ocean! And its UV protective! I will try to take some photos, and maybe some video to post later. [Note: We didn't end up getting to go to the beach. But we will go soon. I promise!]

Please leave a comment and tell us how babywearing has saved YOUR sanity/marriage/business .

Speaking of teething… Twilli got a NEW TOOTH! It is on the top, and the other top one is about to emerge.

She is doing well with solid foods. She likes everything we’ve given her. And she is so precocious! She insists on feeding herself. I mean we load up the spoon, but then she takes the spoon and feeds herself. This girl is scary! Watch a video of the Twilli baby feeding herself at 8 months on YouTube!

I never cease to be amazed by this baby. She has also started sticking her tongue out when you stick your tongue at her. It is too cute. And she makes a kissy noise. Though I don’t think she “knows how to kiss” just yet.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT and let us know the awesome things that your kid or grandkid (or niece or nephew or whatever) can do!

We will post a photo soon. (DH took some. But I haven’t rescued them from the camera yet.)

Again, I have to say that the Hyland’s Teething Tablets, nursing, and babywearing have saved our hides! I’ve been using the Ergo Baby Carrier like mad! And now Elliott uses it too, since Twilli essentially grew out of the Baby Bjorn that he used to like so much.

I am also in the process of trying to figure out how to make my own Scandi-inspired Mei Tai carrier. I will give updates on that project.

I am so thankful that I have my MacBook Pro, or I would have gotten NOTHING done, through these cluster-feeding sessions!

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Speaking of milestones, we took Twilli to the pediatrician for her belated 6 month well baby exam (and the icky shots :sniffle:). She is doing great! The weighs 17 pounds and is 27.5″ tall.

Dr. Reyes was very impressed that she is using the potty. We explained that we have reduced our diaper consumption by half. He said she is their first patient that has done infant potty training. We have gotten really good reactions from people about this whole thing. I guess

Twilli has her first tooth! She started having symptoms of teething back at Thanksgiving. I knew it can sometimes be many months before they finally came to the surface. So we got some Hyland’s Hylands Homeopathic Teething Tablets to help soothe the discomfort. They work quite well, actually! And then we waited out the storm.A couple of weeks ago it became apparent that she was going through some new development or growth spurt. It seems that 6 months is a major developmental milestone. I had a feeling that she would get her first tooth (or teeth, as many babies do) very soon. Sure enough, on February 19th we noticed a little “hole” in her lower gums, where the tooth would be emerging. However, nothing much was visible. Then the next day, the sharp, clear edge was very easy to spot with a finger. It was a bit more challenging to see since the “blade” is clear. But today, we can see about 1 millimeter of pearly white sticking up out of the gums! For the record, we marked the date February 20, 2008 as the date of Twilli’s First Tooth.Twilli is very proud of her new tooth! I think there are several more on the way soon. Now if we can just keep her from biting Mommy when she nurses! Eeeeeek!When did your child get his or her first tooth? Please LEAVE A COMMENT about your teething experience.

2008.02.21

Yes. I can honestly say we are using HALF the amount of diapers than we were before we started the infant potty training journey! We are often able to “reuse” a diaper 2-3 times, since it is completely dry!

Even more impressive though is the fact that Twilli has been staying dry for 6-10 hours at a time, through the night. So not only does she sleep through the night, she stays DRY!

Can you tell I’m proud? (Just imagine how proud Daddy is!)

2008.02.12

OK. I admit, this is not a proper JOURNAL. (Thus the word “update” in the title now.) I was being so good and keeping a log of her potty successes. But it has been hard to keep that up. I have watched it enough to know some general tendencies.

Twilli is doing very well with it. She GETS it. But sometimes, we’re not as “on top of it” as we need to be. I just missed a poo a few minutes ago. I felt bad that she had to dirty her diaper. But she just smiled at me when I told her, “I’m sorry I didn’t take you to the potty in time.”

We are very pleased with her progress. I would say we’ve easily reduced the diaper consumption by half. We have had one dirty diaper each day, for the last few days.

I realize how unconventional this practice is. And I am trying to find a frame of reference for “normal people” to compare it to. The only other experience I have, or remember at least, is that of my son. But that was many years ago. All I remember is that I had a hard time traditionally potty training my son. And I was a single mom, so I couldn’t demonstrate “sinking the Cheerios”. My dad and brother were too self-conscious. :-/ I’ve heard it is so much easier with girls. I was watching JON & KATE PLUS 8 last night and the girls had been trained a full year before the boys!

This year, it has been all about UNCONDITIONAL LOVE in my realm. Twilli has been teaching us the vital importance of unconditional love, not only for her, but for one another.

My husband really started experiencing unconditional love when we were expecting. How else would he be moved to tears over this little thing that he had never seen or held or touched.

The same love has also been our saving grace in dealing with teens. Somehow this little baby has helped us embrace and uplift O-Teen too!
Here is a list of actions that exemplify the crazy things we parents do, by virtue of love.

1. Carry boogers around until you find a tissue
2. Obey the speed limit, despite your splitting headache from the screaming baby
3. Resist snapping at your hubby, since he is on diaper duty
4. You cannibalize your mad money to buy a gift for the kid/s
5. You can actually enjoy tolerate Chuck E. Cheese
6. You suspect baby has a dirty diaper, but you still put your nose right up to the bum, just to confirm or deny
7. You don’t flip out when spit, peed, or pooed upon

What are some of the things YOU have done, out of love, that you would never have otherwise done? Please leave a comment.

2008.01.28
I decided to give IPT/EC a shot when DD had just turned 5 months old (DOB 08/07). Even though we’re using disposable diapers, I guessed it wouldn’t hurt to “potty” her after diaper changes, etc. We had some immediate success. But holding her over the toilet wasn’t practical for any length of time.

We bought a potty seat to put over the regular toilet. We put her on it after she awoke from her nap and VOILA! She pooped within about 1 minute! I started taking her once a day, and had results everytime!

So a couple of days ago, I stepped up the effort and started taking her 1st thing in the a.m. (despite the convenience to snuggle and nurse more in our nice co-sleeping arrangement) and after her morning nap.

I’ve only had 1 to 2 occasions that I took her to the potty and she did nothing. She really seems to GET IT! And sometimes, when she’s nursing and stops to look around and fuss a bit, I’ve learned it means she needs to potty! She seems to be glad that MOMMY is getting trained!

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2008.01.29
Twilli pottied 5 out of 6 times that we took her yesterday!! (No poop diapers!!!) And so far today, she’s gone 4 out of 5 times. (3 poops) Again no dirty diapers!

I’m starting to see more of a pattern that if she starts to really fuss (and isn’t hungry or sleepy) then that probably means she wants to potty.

I think she REALLY digs this no dirty diaper situation!:woohoo:

I’m still not brave enough to go diaperless. But we’ll see how things go.

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2008.02.04
Last night we took Twilli to our friend Steve’s house, for a Super Bowl Party. She got a bit antsy so DH took her to use the bathroom. We didn’t have our toilet seat with us. So I wasn’t sure she’d be comfortable enough to use the regular toilet.

But she did great! She went twice while we were there. Everyone (mostly in their 50′s) was SOOOOO impressed! I guess they think she’s a prodigy. We agree. Of course the potty thing is just confirmation.

We’ve only had 1 dirty diaper in the last three days! Twilli can wait for several minutes, for us to take her to the potty, in order to stay clean and dry.