Changes

I have started a new blog. It's awesome! Go check it out.

http://happymama22.blogspot.com/2011/01/howdy.html

New Year

Hello 2011!

Boy, 2010 was quite the year. Lots of things happend:

* I had a newborn and a one year old all in the same year (exhausting)

* I graduated from college

* Began making student loan payments

* Got a new car

* Got several jobs

* Experienced teething

And probably many more things that I cannot remember at this moment.

Here are some great things that will be happening in 2011:

* Brother is coming home from Sveden! (or Sweden, depending where you live)

* Losing many, many pounds (at least 60 to be exact)

* Avery will be 2!

* Having more money than I know what to do with

Okay, okay, that last one is probably not going to happen. But a girl can dream, can't she??

About the losing weight thing- I got a gym membership and it's only valid for one year. That means I only have one year to lose the weight. And you're thinking "only one year? One year is a long time..." And I'm saying to you, "yes, yes it is. But consider this: Most people pay for month-to-month gym memberships. They're not really sure when their last month at the gym will be, so it's like...yeah, I'll lose weight, but I have all the time in the world. BUT! If you only have a one year gym membership YOU ONLY HAVE ONE YEAR. You had better get your butt in gear and make this year count!

I guess after one year you could renew your gym membership for another year...or cancel your membership and just jog around the block... BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT.

One year. Let's do this. 60lbs going bye-bye. And just so you know, Avery LOVES the kids club. Which makes it all the better.

Moving on.

Avery has six teeth! Finally those two little stubborn bottom teeth poked through her gums and we are no longer experiencing the agony of teeth. That is, until the next ones come in.

I have jobs out the wahzoo. Jobs are oozing out of my ears and onto my dinner plate....ew. sorry.

I have more jobs than I know what to do with and my schedule is crazy busy. I even quit one job and I still am more busy than when I had the job! Most of the time I'm doing a babysitting gig but I also have one teaching gig, although I'm interviewing for another teaching job this week and I think I have a pretty good chance at getting it. Add going to the gym several times a week and I basically have no time left. The reason I keep adding on the jobs is because I need money. Duh. Student loans, baby needs, cell phone bills, etc., etc. are always knocking on my door. My mother thinks I'm unreliable because I'm always changing my plans with her due to taking on another job at the last minute. Sorry, mom.

So, I'm ready for this year. It is going to be good. And ya know, I'm not going to just stand back and hope that it will be good. I'm going to make it good.

KAPOW!

Ya know, it's funny....

The holidays are upon us and I'm so excited!

It's funny how when you have a child, the holidays become fun and exciting and new again. It's like experiencing your childhood all over again (which may or may not be a good thing for some people). At this point Avery is just too young to know of all the festivities going on around her, but, boy, it sure is fun to pretend that she is appreciating the good smells coming from the kitchen, the dozens of toys under the christmas tree for her, and all of the houses decorated with lights. I love watching her experience new things and seeing her reactions. Watching her learn has got to be the most rewarding, satisfying, and exciting thing ever. She's a smart cookie.

In other news, I quit one of my teaching jobs. On one hand, I feel bad because I was only there for one semester and I would have liked to show more of a commitment to the staff and students. But on the other hand, I really couldn't handle it. When I was hired, I wasn't given any warning about what I might encounter or how I should handle certain students and situations. And I'm talking about situations that wouldn't happen in your typical elementary classroom. I wasn't told that a lot (read: most) of the students had social issues, medical issues, or serious problems at home. In a city's school district, you can go to the office and read a child's file which would tell you about any past and current issues. Not that some issues define a child, but it's good to know what you're dealing with. It's good to know if you should be more sensitive in regards to a particular students needs, etc. At the school I was just teaching at, there were no files, there was no heads up, there was nothing. I was just surprised when students did or said things that I had no idea could or would ever happen. I was just supposed to deal with whatever came my way. There was little to no support from the head of the school or from the other teachers. It was like, every man for himself. As a first- year teacher, I need all of the support and help I can get. I'm sort of proud of myself for making that declaration because a lot of the time I just try to do everything myself. But this is my CAREER we're talking about here. I want to do it right, the right way, and if asking for help is how I can get it right, then by golly, I will ask. But there was no one to ask at the this school, there was no one that would sit down with you and work out any issues. Does that sound baby-ish to you? To me, it sort of sounds like I'm asking someone to hold my hand and walking with me step by step. But, hey, you try to be a teacher, and then we'll talk.

"Only the brave should teach."

I never thought that teeth would cause so much anxiety in my life. Yes, I said teeth. My daughters teeth. It just never occurs to someone that those little pearly whites can just shatter your days and your very existence. Why won't those teeth just cut already?! I'm so tired of her not eating and seriously, I can't handle much more of this going to bed at 10pm and waking up at 5am business. It's just so exhausting. And, it's funny, because before I was a mother, going to bed later than 10 and waking up at 5am was no problem. Hell, I did it in college all the time! Stay up late to write papers, and then wake up early for an 8am class. Five days a week I did that. And I was good to go! But caring for another human being is just so exhausting. I don't know how the mothers of multiples do it. I could not do it. I mean, I guess I would do it if I had to, ya know, because they're my children. But right now, I can barely get past 8pm without wanting to burry my face in my pillow and cry. Wahh wahhh wahhhhh.

Really, it's not that bad. But it is very tiring.

Happy Holidays everyone! I have been listening to my Charlie Brown Christmas music (and also I've had my Lady Gaga cd on repeat....because I'm just so stinkin funky.)

No no no november

I like that I didn't post anything in November. It's almost as if that month never even happend...

Today when Avery and I were at the WIC clinic (for her one-year certification) we were waiting....and waiting... and waiting. And while all of this waiting was occurring Avery was everywhere. Like, she was all "see you later, motherrrr!" She was walking all over the place and was totally not concerned about where I was or what I was doing. I guess she figures that I'm keeping track of her. All of the other kids were sitting quietly next to their mothers. But not my kid. Oh no. I was running all over trying to keep her out of some lady's purse or catching her before she zoomed outside while someone was holding the door open. I had to lunge for her before she took some kids cheerios. Sheesh. Why can't she just sit quietly next to me like all of the other freakin kids?! Well, I will tell you why. When I was talking to another mother that was sitting close to me, she said:

"How old is your daughter?"

"She's almost one. She'll be one in a few weeks," I said.

"Oh, wow, I can't believe she's walking," she exclaimed.

"Yeah, she's a big girl," I said.

"My son is 18 months and still not walking. I have to carry him everywhere," she said.

"Really?!"

Come to find out, several of the children at the clinic were well past their first birthdays and still not walking (that's why they were sitting quietly). I mean, I guess that's normal for some kids to walk later, but seriously, I would rather chase Avery around than her not be able to walk yet. And, really, I would die if I had to carry Avery around everywhere. She weighs almost 100 lbs.

Upon seeing Avery shake her head "no" in line at the grocery store, a woman behind me jokingly asked if Avery was almost 2 years old. Chuckle all you want, lady, but it's me who has to live with the little girl who is all the time telling me no. She can almost say it, too. She has the "nuh" sound down, just not the "oh."

But, boy, is she cute. If she was half as cute as she is now, she'd still be too cute for the world to handle.

Mid-Semester

50 yard line! I'm almost done with the semester! Half down, half to go.

Thank goodness.

Y'all, if it is possible, Avery is getting cuter every single day. Her personality is emerging and boy, what a poop! But also a cutie patootie. I need to start carrying a large stick with me, because everywhere we go, I have to politely excuse myself and my child, because we really gotta get going, it's almost dinner time, sorry we can't stay and chat about how cute my child is. Yes, she waves goodbye, yes she plays patty cake, yes, she will even give kisses. Now, please, the milk in my basket is getting warm. I need a stick to beat people away. For goodness sake. The saying should go: "With great cuteness comes great responsibility." Because I swear, Avery is the source of many people's happiness. Complete strangers, I mean. Of course she is the source of my happiness. I have to meet my quota and take her out several times a week so that the old ladies who frequent Randall's can play with Avery in the frozen dinner aisle and find the strength to live another day.

Okay, I might be over dramatizing this a tad. But I'm a theatre teacher. It's what I do. (Notice I said theatre teacher. Not theatre major. I'm growing up.)

Anywho, she now shakes her head "no." All the time. Whenever I ask her anything. And even when I don't ask her anything at all.

"Avery, do you want to eat your green beans?" *shakes head*

"Avery, do you want to go to bed?" *shakes head*

"Avery, do you want a bottle?" *shakes head*

"Avery, do you want a chocolate donut with rainbow sprinkles?" *shakes head*

"How did you sleep, Avery?" *shakes head*

"It's a very nice day outside, Avery" *shakes head*

"You're a poop, Avery." *shakes head*

All the time, it's *shakes head*

Crazies

I realize it's been awhile since I last posted. So this post will be a nice long one and will hopefully satisfied everyone's insatiable appetite for all things Addison-Warner.

I have started teaching school. My first day was two weeks ago and now that I've had time to digest what is actually happening, I feel that I can share it with you.

"Only the brave should teach."

I'm not sure who said that, I'm feeling a little too lazy to go look it up, but someone said it. And I'd have to say that I concur. Teaching really is a difficult profession and I quite frankly don't know that I'm cut out for it. Oh, I'm not giving it up, that's for sure, but there are some aspects about teaching that I don't know that I'll ever be able to get over. (TANGENT- as I am typing this, Avery is getting into the bathroom cabinets. Luckily that's not where I keep the rat poison. TIME FOR CABINET LOCKS!)

One thing, for instance, is that kids have these really active and wild imaginations. Which I love. But also, it can be a real damper on the class when I have all 20 kids arguing over which of their own ideas should be incorporated into the play we're writing. How do I go about weeding through that mess? I want our work to be original and written by them, but honestly, I can't use everyone's ideas.

Another thing is that people have this perception about theatre education that is puzzling to me. Actually, I don't think it's puzzling because it does make a little sense but I just hate it. Parents of the kids in my class somehow think that all we do in theatre class is plays. I get emails from parents that ask if their little johnny can sit out during my lessons because he's not comfortable doing plays. I want to respond that we're not doing a play at this moment- but we are learning how to control our voices and our bodies so that when the time does come to do a play, we're all prepared. It's like, being in a music class and all you do during class is get together and play a symphony, or everyday in P.E. you compete in a triathlon. I don't think that some people realize that theatre is more than just acting in plays. There is a lot of technique and skill to be acquired, not to mention many other roles to take on besides acting, before you can just waltz up to any ol stage and perform shakespeare.

The last thing I'd like to complain about is that fact that some kids cannot be helped. Well, okay, that's not exactly what I mean. What I do mean is that I, Karie Warner, can not be the one to teach your kid all the life skills that s/he needs to be successful in life. I will certainly try. But it is impossible for me to do it all. Now don't worry, no one has said that they expect me to, I'm merely saying/typing this to assure myself. Because I really want to teach these kids how to get a grip. But I'm not superwoman. And there will hopefully be many other teachers in these kids lives that can further their progress into normal humanization.

Now then, on to what all you people really want to hear about: my sweet little Buttercup. Let me just say that if any of you happend to read my middle-of-the-night facebook status updates, I was seriously lacking in the sleep department. And I currently still am. You see, Avery has been all out of sorts for the last two weeks. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that school has started and life as she knows it is crazy and hectic. Which, it is for me also, but she's little and doesn't know any better. Her anxiety is coming out in her sleepy time, or should i say her severe lack of sleep time. She went from sleeping all the way through the night plus taking two or three really good hour/two hour naps to waking up at 4am and taking two quick 30 minutes naps everyday. And then this past Friday night was really the kicker. I was so tired that I was walking around our apartment asking myself if this was really happening. Can a person actually function properly like this? The answer, my friends, is no.

Here is what happend:

It was 8pm on a typical Friday night. Avery had not had a nap in five or so hours so it was definitely bed time. I was rocking her to sleep, like I normally do, and wilson announces that he's going to go down to the 24-hour coffee house that's near our apartment and take these tests in order to get certified in something for work. Alright, alright I say. I was planning on watching a little t.v. and then hitting the hay as soon as Avery went down, so the fact that he would probably be gone all night didn't phase me. He had to take three tests that were each two hours long. Shyeah. So Avery falls asleep and I put her in bed. Woo-eee! It's mama time. I pull out the little chocolate caramel brownies (that are only 60 calories a piece, you have to only eat one or two, that's the tricky part...I'm trying to lose weight) from the fridge, turn the t.v. to TBS, Forrest Gump is on, and I settle down for a nice quiet evening. Well, 9:30 rolls around and I'm just about ready to go to bed, when Avery wakes up. So I go get her, rock her back to sleep, put her back in bed, and then go in my room to clean up a little. So I'm sorting all my school supplies and pretty soon, princess has woken up again. So, I go get her again, rock her back to sleep and finally decide that I better get to bed. I wash my face, put my jammies on, get under the covers. I'm exhausted. I was up at 5am with Avery that morning (and every morning for the past week) and hadn't had a nap all day. I look at the clock...10:15. Shoot, I'm beat. The next thing I know, it's 11pm and Avery is screaming in her crib. Buhhhh. I get up and get her out of her crib and we go sit in the living room until she's reaaaaallly sleepy and ready to go back to bed. Midnight passes. 1am. 2am. 3am. 4am. Oh my word. Is this child ever going to bed!? She's been crying for two hours, and quite frankly, so have I. We're both exhausted and cranky, except the difference is that she doesn't want to go to bed and I do. Wilson is still not home. Avery is still screaming. And I've just about had it. Similac recalled their formula due to a beetle infestation and Avery won't drink anything else, so it's not like I can give her a bottle to make her settle down and go to bed. So, I decide that enough is enough, put her in her crib and go lay down. She's still screaming, of course, but if she cries longer that 15 minutes, I'll go get her. I go get in bed and stare at the clock. 4:15. screaming. 4:18. screaming. 4:20, a little less screaming. 4:27. she's out. So am I.

Wilson gets home a little after 5 and he reports that Avery is sitting up in her bed. At least she's not screaming. I tell him about our hellish night and he says that he'll stay up with her for awhile so I can sleep. I sleep till 8:30 and then get up so wilson can get some rest.

She took one nap on Saturday.

I'm dying.

And I'm sure that you are too, after reading this whole post.

Today is Sunday and we are all exhausted. I'm dreading tomorrow because I know it's going to be a long week.

I hope all of you out there get some sleep tonight.

Blah blah blah

Well we're all moved. Like officially. All the boxes are unpacked, the post office has received my request for a Change Of Address and we're pretty much all settled in. Avery recognizes that our new home is home. Except let me just say that we live on the second floor. Hell. Avery weighs an incredible 21 pounds plus the added weight of groceries or diaper bag or whatever else I'm carrying up the stairs along with her. I think that is the most inconvenient part about our new place. At least I will have killer biceps in a few months though. Also, another inconvenient part is that we dont have a washer/dryer. Gotta start collecting quarters and rock out the laundry room.

Avery has become my little lap dog and I am teaching her tricks. She's pretty good at catching on and performing. I have taught her the "How big is Avery--So big!" trick. Also, when I say "oh Avery, what a bad cough you have!" she will start fake coughing. She gives open-mouthed kisses and hugs. She's so funny. Hilarious.

This summer has been pretty eventful. We've been all over Texas. We had a lot of fun but we're glad to be home.

I now have a job at Springs Enrichment Academy teaching theatre on Tuesdays. School starts Sept. 14 and I'm pretty excited. I am also babysitting on Mon/Weds every week to help pay ze bills. The gigantic mountain of student loan bills that have to be paid soon. Buhhhhhhh. I'm not sure what I was thinking before I started college but had I realized that I would accrue (sp?) so much debt, I might have re-thought that whole college thing. *sigh*

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