There has been a lot going on for the past few weeks - so here's the Garland Family rundown:
Ava is little miss independent, with her new favorite saying, "I wanna do it all myself." We're still struggling with the potty training - still trying - but I think it would be a stretch to say we are successful at it! She loves the pool, and has the tan lines to match. She's still doing really well with Emma, almost too well at times trying to hold her, which means more often than not attempting to pick her up from her head...yikes! We've introduced her (I can't even remember how) to chocolate milk, and she LOVES it. Although I'm not sure of a kid who wouldn't. It's a fun treat for her to have once or twice a week.
Emma is getting so big so fast. I swear it goes faster with the second. She is now 7 months old, sitting up on her own, rolling all over the room and beginning to show signs that she is ready to crawl. I don't think it will be long before she will be chasing Ava all over the house! I am beginning to question whether or not she is a little behind developmentally on her speech. This is likely because her sister is talking non-stop, and saying things for her, so we're trying to work on that. We're trying to spend quality time just with Emma talking to her and reading her books. She's getting there - there hasn't been a "ma-ma" or "da-da" yet, but they'll come soon enough. She's in week 3 of swim lessons (she took a week off because her instructors were on vacation) and is now rolling on her own from her stomach to her back in the pool. It's very nerve racking to watch, but also very exciting. We're working on speeding the whole process up because she does take her time getting from her tummy to her back - but she isn't upset at all once she does make the shift. She's eating real foods every day - and loves them way more than her bottles. Sometimes you can't get the food in her mouth fast enough - she's crying because she wants more! Soon enough she’s going to be running around chasing her sister, it won’t be long.
Michael and I are doing well. I began training to run my first half-marathon in January (there I said it - now I'm committed!). It's been hard, but good. Running is good stress relief and good time with just me. Michael is still following his workout plan, working out 4 days a week. He’s in the best shape of his life! I’m trying to catch up to that. He still loves his truck and is continually looking for more things to enhance it. It all just takes time…and of course money!
That’s the Garland Family update for June in a nutshell! More to come soon!
Realization
This last month for me, for us as a family, has been all about realization. On many fronts this has been a harder month that usual, but we have come out of it stronger and closer to each other than ever. Don't get me wrong, when I say, "harder month than usual" I'm not referring to home life, but to work life. Lot's of changes, long meetings and needless to say: personal growth. However, I really believe, deep down, it’s God's way of giving us the realization that there is so much more to life that what we get caught up in during the everyday grind.
This month has been about realizing that there has to be balance between long work weeks and quality time spent with the kids.
Realizing that I love Ava, I love her so much I'm willing to set boundaries and limits for her. After all she's two - and we all know what that means - I don't have to explain it!
Realizing that I love Emma just as much - enough to get up from my desk - even in the busiest of days to try and go feed her a bottle. Recognizing that there will come a day that this will no longer be possible.
Realizing that I love my husband more than anything - I would do anything for him - no questions asked. He blows my mind every day.
Recognizing that Father's Day was filled with business (or should I say chaos at work - thanks to a car show) and lots of happiness; but also sadness. Sadness because an icon in my life, my father, is no longer here on this Earth to celebrate. That just hasn't gotten easier yet.
Needless to say, this month has changed me (us) from the inside out. We are now much better at prioritizing what's important - and recognizing that 99.9% of the time -it doesn't come in the form of a paycheck.
This month has been about realizing that there has to be balance between long work weeks and quality time spent with the kids.
Realizing that I love Ava, I love her so much I'm willing to set boundaries and limits for her. After all she's two - and we all know what that means - I don't have to explain it!
Realizing that I love Emma just as much - enough to get up from my desk - even in the busiest of days to try and go feed her a bottle. Recognizing that there will come a day that this will no longer be possible.
Realizing that I love my husband more than anything - I would do anything for him - no questions asked. He blows my mind every day.
Recognizing that Father's Day was filled with business (or should I say chaos at work - thanks to a car show) and lots of happiness; but also sadness. Sadness because an icon in my life, my father, is no longer here on this Earth to celebrate. That just hasn't gotten easier yet.
Needless to say, this month has changed me (us) from the inside out. We are now much better at prioritizing what's important - and recognizing that 99.9% of the time -it doesn't come in the form of a paycheck.