Swim Lessons--Julianna

This girl has been doing swim lessons for a long time now. We used funding from the homeschool charter to pay for private lessons in April and May, and then in June we enrolled her in a group class. I think she has made some progress for sure, but still uncomfortable in the water. I am proud of her for doing what her teachers asked her to do. She went underwater by accident a few times, and it scared her but once she calmed down she asked what her prize was (we told her if she went underwater she'd get a prize). We hope swimming on her own is in her future, but it will take time!

Blake's kindergarten graduation

Blake with his teacher, Mrs. Leon. I love the diploma!

About to walk up on the stage. He was called first, even though his name was at the end of the program, so we were not ready!

Blake in his seat at graduation.

Getting his diploma from the teacher. Wish we could have gotten a better shot--we just weren't ready.

A video of both kinder classes singing a version of "Dynamite." It was so cute! Blake was singing it at home before graduation. They also sang a song about going to first grade that was to the tune "Start Spreading the News."

Blake did so well this year in kindergarten. He was the youngest in his class, but really excelled. I'm so glad we started him this year. He is advanced in all his subjects except for handwriting, which we will work on over the summer. We're so proud of him!

Blake's first time playing catcher

Blake's first run

 By the way, I have no idea why these videos have a green stripe through them--they look fine when I watch them on the computer. Sorry!

Blake's first time at bat

T-ball time

Excited for his first game.

Waiting to bat for the first time.

High-fiving the other team at the end of the game. 

Playing catcher for the first time--he felt so cool wearing the catcher gear.

Blake is now 4 games into his t-ball season. It started right after soccer. He will play in 12 games through the end of June. So far he really likes it! It's so fun watching him play sports on a team. Every game he seems to get better. I wanted to post more videos but blogger would only let me post one, so maybe I'll do a few more posts of videos.

Lots of news

Well, things have been interesting around here. On April 1st, the day before I turned 30, I took two pregnancy tests. The only reason I took the tests on this day was because 9 years earlier, on the same day, I tested positive for my pregnancy with Julianna. I could not believe it when both tests were positive. Since the beginning of this year, Julianna kept asking for a baby for her birthday. We kept telling her that would be really hard to do. So when I tested postitive on the same day, I knew my due date would be right around Julianna's birthday, amazingly. I think Julianna was inspired.

So now I am almost 14 weeks (still not quite sure--need to have the ultrasound to confirm) and what a pregnancy it has been. With Julianna and Blake, my pregnancies were fine--I was sick in the beginning, then felt better in the 2nd trimester and things were good. This one has been totally different--yes, I've been sick, but so sick that at the end of each day, I was confined to the couch in AGONY over my nausea, for at least 4 weeks straight. When that started to get better, then came more fun symptoms--constipation, bloating, gas, indegestion, extreme fatigue to the point of almost fainting and barely keeping my eyes open, and this lasted for about 2 weeks and is still on and off now. The doctor told me to take mylanta and it seems to be helping a little, although that stuff is so gross! I can't cook anything because of the smells, so our dinners have been frozen food and eating out, or cereal, or whatever is in the house. Speaking of the house, it's ALWAYS a disaster because I have no energy to clean. Somehow it gets done, at least enough to be sane, but nothing like it used to be. Also, I don't know what to eat most of the time, because I'm worried it will make me feel sick again. The kids watch way too much TV lately because I'm too tired. So things around here have been crazy. I am just waiting for that 2nd trimester increase of energy so I can get things back in order. Regardless, I am so excited for a new baby and couldn't be happier. Seeing the ultrasound with the little baby moving around was so wonderful! So far the baby looks great.

So while all this is going on, I am still trying to homeschool Julianna. It has been nearly impossible! I always manage to get at least one educational activity in with her (which is all that's required) and I felt bad for her. I started to wonder if I could homeschool her next year with a newborn. I went back and forth for a long time. I contacted the school to see if her old resource class would be back next year. It will not. I knew an answer would come soon. Then I kept getting the thought, just go observe the other SDC (special day class) that's still at the school. So I arranged a meeting, brought Julianna with me, and I felt SO good about what they can do for Julianna. It may not be what she had before, which was PERFECT, but they will really be helping her succeed and she can mainstream for part of the day, not all day like she had to in the fall because her resource class was removed (without my permission or an IEP change). So I have her IEP this Thursday and I will be so ready to make new goals for her, because I've homeschooled her, and I know what she needs help in. The homeschool time with her was good for both of us, I think. We are closer, I know more about what her needs are, and she got a break from "school" for a while. But I think she's ready to go back, and I'm ready, too. When I think about the next school year now, I feel so at peace with everything. Both kids will be in school all day, and I'll have a newborn to spend all my time with at home. Things couldn't be better!

Other little blessings lately: Joel got the position teaching summer school, so we'll have extra money for the baby and other things, I've almost got the In Home Support Services set up for Julianna so I will be paid to help her with her needs in the home, her therapy is really working, and her respite worker is amazingly helpful right now. 2012 is turning out to be a great year!