No Voice

I've been feeling a bit under the weather lately, and this morning I woke up with NO VOICE! I could muster a whisper, but not a very strong one. It gave me a renewed appreciation for being able to speak when I'm not sick as well as some insight into my youngest's struggles with learning to talk/communicate.

I wasn't able to say the things I really needed to say, like:
"Don't put that rock in your mouth,"
"Please sit before you go down the slide,"
"Watch out for that step!"
and "I love you."

And I learned that if you're not making noise at our house, most of the time no one is paying attention to you! I found myself clapping to get attention when i needed to communicate something important. I even did it at work today! Speaking of work...I think I'm going to whisper every day when I'm there because my students were so quiet and obedient!

My Life As A Rock Star

This was written by Melinda Coats in the MomSense July/August 2009 issue (a MOPS publication). I loved it & agreed with it. Thought some of you might enjoy it, too:

I live the life of a rock star. It's true! I have wild hair and make-up with frequent costume changes.
Everywhere I go I have an entourage. People are constantly yelling my name. I look out into the crowd and they're actually crying for me, reaching for me.
I have no privacy. I'm watched when I shower, when I'm cooking, even when I use the restroom...for my own protection, I'm sure.
When I go places I must do so quickly before my fans get out of control and start a riot. Every night I different [person] wants to sleep with me. Each of them seems genuinely hurt when I turn [them] away.
Occasionally I get dirty undergarments whirled at me with a whoop and a smile. It's even hard sometimes to walk through my own home without someone spotting me and trying to grab my legs or my clothing.
Oh, and don't forget about the stalkers! You know those crazed fans that follow you everywhere? Why, I can't even talk on the phone in the pantry without an eye or two peeping in at me.
Yes it's true--I live the life of a rock star. And this goes out to my biggest fans--D., Z. & E.--thanks for making my debut so special!

Learning

Words/Phrases the youngest has said for the first time this week:
1. Gabba-Gabba
2. Whoops!
3. Gum

Things we've discovered this week:
1. There's a tomato plant growing in the middle of our back lawn.
2. The youngest had a flea in her diaper (stray cat that visits got sprayed right after this discovery)
3. The cat we thought was a stray actually belongs to one of our neighbors. Her name is Princess (perfect for our kids).
4. The youngest can & will chew gum! I'll try to get a picture of this up soon.
5. The oldest can flip over the bar at gymnastics without assistance! (VERY proud parents here)

Things I've forgotten about this week:
1. The water filling the tub for the youngest's bath (D. found it and turned it off before it was full enough to spill over onto the floor)
2. My grilled cheese cooking on the skillet. (so sad. why do I mess up the easiest things to make?)
3. The water filling the pool in the back yard. D. wasn't home this time, so it DID spill over. Benefit: I didn't have to water that part of the lawn today!
There's more, too, but guess what? I can't remember! My brain is mush lately.
But I DID remember to include some cute pics!

Family Time

We went to the zoo...