It Isn't Pretty

I'm talking about me. This has been a very rough last few months. With two people in the final semester of Master's Programs, both working at least 40 hours per week, while trying to be good parents and home owners all at the same time...well, it's just not bringing out the best in us! However, I'm afraid that it's actually been taking a bigger toll on me than Erik.
Erik has been amazing. When I feel like I can't even function or even think beyond the guilt I feel when I am not doing homework, he is in the middle of laundry, doing dishes and planning out the rest of the day so that we both get in some homework time and time with Tryg. No, he's not perfect, but I am SO grateful for him! I have been so stressed and jumpy... and sometimes, just not nice.

I really hate that about myself. I have been extremely aware of my emotions -especially in the last two weeks. And I so wish that better responses could come out of me when I am stressed and tired. I guess awareness is the first step, and then I just need to step back, relax and breathe before responding.

I am hoping that this week will be better. I have a week off of class this week and if you've read my facebook page, you already know I also have one complete draft of my 78 page Capstone Project finished now!! I have MANY revisions to make, but at least I have a complete draft (yes, I feel guilty that I am writing on the blog instead of making revisions on my Project).

Even though I have to work over 10 hours on Saturday and Erik has at least 2 nights a week with his group working on his MBA group project....I'm going to try to stay positive (or become positive in the first place) and be aware of my stress level.

May 21...36 days away! I can make it!! But now, I'm going to bed.

Study Break for Mommy

I spent all afternoon and evening on Sunday working on my Capstone project. However, I am very happy to say that I have 78 pages down on paper! That is a full draft! I will have many changes to make, but it's still so wonderful to have a full draft!

Erik watched Tryg for most of the day so I could focus on my Project. However I did get a few study breaks...one of which involved getting Tryg's swing out for the first time. This was another great $2 garage sale find. So worth the $2 already! He loves it!!

Bath Time Fun

Rubba Dub Dub, Little Man in the tub!

Blue Steel with fohawk while chewing on bath toy...that's talent!

A Little Sledding

We took Tryg sledding for the first time this weekend. It's finally getting warm enough to use the $2 garage-sale-find that I got this summer. This little sled was well worth the $2! The sun was pretty bright as it glared off all the white snow and it was Tryg's nap-time, but he was smiling. However, I think he actually liked the sled inside, when Auntie Amy and Grandpa pulled him around the living room, much more than outside. It may have something to do with being crammed into a bear-snowsuit, being blinded by the sun and just wanting to take a nap, but we're not completely sure. :)
Gracie (Erik's parents collie) had no idea what to do with the little bear that was going through the yard. She kept barking at him! :)

2 Days Later...the Stairs.

So, two days after he mastered standing up in the crib, he is now going up stairs at daycare. I was just sent these three photos over email from our daycare provider. (she has two steps up from her living room to her kitchen)

And, he's off...
Note: Date on camera is wrong (clearly). It's actually 3/8/11

Look What I'm Doing Now!!

This face says it all! He is SO excited about his accomplishments! Our proud little boy standing in his crib all by himself! The one main problem...he doesn't know how to get down! :) Poor kid!

Erik and I are doing our best to keep up with this little monster we've created. He's totally on the move now and climbing on everything. It's difficult now because he can get up to his feet but he sure isn't stable on them! We're trying to keep the falls to a minimum as he discovers this place called earth.

I know many of you have been through this stage at least once before...but it's all new to us. We've been told about it, but it is oh so much more real now to be living it! :)

Look who's starting to crawl!!!

We are so excited!

Not Toothless for Long

So, we're soon going to miss the toothless grins from our little man. He's actually teething now. --even though people have said, "He's probably teething" for about six months now. The start of his front right tooth is coming through. This was also evidenced by his lack of a nap yesterday afternoon. Our Daycare provider said he was up every 15 minutes crying and then back down. We were bracing for the worst last night, but he only woke up once @ 1:30am. I gave him a bit more Orajel and he went back down after some squirming and fussing. Poor little guy. We hope this is short lived -for both him and us. And that we don't have many of the horrible nights that people always tell/warn us about!

Overall, Tryg is a wonderful baby and we really can't complain too much. Literally EVERYDAY either Erik and I will tell the other how much we just love him like crazy and how he really is just a sweetheart! We also talk about how cute he really is...Yes, we're biased, but he really is a cute little guy even if we do say so ourselves! :)


*We'll try to get a picture of his first tooth as soon as he'll let us.

Happy Valentine's Day!

One of Those Weeks...

So, if you're actually looking at our blog (instead of Google Reader or something like that), you'll notice that I've added a Graduation Countdown Timer! I was doing pretty well. Well, I guess that depends on how you define "pretty well." But I was at least OK with being in grad school, Erik being in grad school, both working 40+ hours a week and raising our 7 month old son....but then I think something just snapped last week. I don't know if it was the 10 page paper due last Tuesday, the additional hours added to my job, the realization that my Capstone Project needs to be done in about a month or that Erik's classes started back up after a long Christmas break. However, I do know that there is a large weight over my head and tension in my shoulders.

I know I'll make it...I just need to pull through. I have a lot of people supporting and encouraging me. I also know that there are a lot of people, including Erik, who are going to kick my @$$ if I don't finish. It's just that it seems like a lot right now.

May 21, 2011 cannot come soon enough...but, I guess in some sense I don't want to wish that time away though. You see, Tryg keeps growing up faster than ever and I don't want to miss one more second than I have to with my BABY. Just last night I found myself looking at photos and videos of him at the hospital the day he was born. He's grown up so much! But he's still my little peanut and always will be! After May 21st I'll be able to devote much more time to him and I am so happy for that. In the meantime, I'll cherish the moments I have.