August!

It's been so long since I've posted it took me a couple of tries to log in to our blog! Can you believe it's already August?! Back to School time is here! I love my new school and classroom. It is very big and I have already unpacked and started decorating! My team is going to be amazing and I can already tell we are going to have lots of fun this year! Our numbers for 1st grade are very high so we will be getting another teacher to join our team, that'll make 4!! Can't wait to meet her :)

Adam started his new job with the company August 2. He is doing well and he enjoys it much more! I know God has a plan for him and this is a part of it. He will do great and has already had to take over with the partner going out of town his 1st week on the job. I think it's the best way to learn- just get thrown in and do your best! He might disagree with me on that one ;)

Teagan is saying and doing. She is always saying 'ide!' (Outside) I wish it wasn't quite so hot and there weren't so many wasps flying around our backyard- we would stay out there longer. I don't know what the deal is with all of these wasps but I am hearing other people talk about the same problem in their yards. Adam is always out there with Teagan's shovel and wasp spray. He comes in and announces "ADAM 3 WASPS ZERO!" He even stepped on one with his foot the other day when it landed a little too close to Teagan.

Adam introduced Teagan to turning on the sprinklers and running through them yesterday evening! They had a blast! Mommy stayed inside and worked on some things for a baby shower we are giving for my dear friend Abby on Saturday! I'll post pics when that takes place! We are so excited for Chris and Abby! Little Landry will be so loved :)

I am getting so very close to being finished with Curriculum Writing for MISD Science/Social Studies. I have 2-3 more lessons and I will go have some 'Mommy-juice' to celebrate when those are over! I have never wanted to get something off my plate so bad! I now understand why people run for the door when asked to do curriculum writing (in the summer!) Lesson learned :)

I know you were probably hoping for pictures or video but the video camera cord is MIA! I have an idea of who took it but where she placed it....I don't have a clue! It'll turn up soon I'm sure. I've been finding things in the freezer lately. She knows how to open that and the old coffee maker is on the floor in the pantry...found some things inside there also :)

We went to the Dr. and Teagan is exactly 25 lbs. She is using words which helps in knowing what she wants but when she doesn't know the words to what she wants screaming for it seems to be just fine for her :)

Words she says:
Mama
Daddy
Hiiiiii. (all the time) Walking in the grocery store- 'Hiiiii' to older women who walk by. No Hi's to men. If they don't hear her- "Hi, Hi, Hi, Hi" in different voice pitches.
Dog
Bella (ella)
Juice (uice)
Thank you
Bye-bye
Ball
Duck
Bee (bbbbbb)
On
Outside (ide)
Shoe (oo)
More (will say it or use sign language)
Bath

Teagan can:

Howl like Bella. Hillarious! Especially when we are at a restaurant :)
Cow (mmmmm)
Monkey (ee ee, does her arms)
Quack (duck,duck,duck)
Boat (brrr - makes lips vibrate)
Lizard (sticks tongue in and out)
Elephant (lifts her arm above her head like the elephant trunk)
Point to a picture of a frog, bee, monkey, duck.

She will follow simple directions like go get a book, let's sit in your highchair, sit down (I told her at Scotty P's (hamburger place) that we were going to go sit down while Daddy got our food- she sat down immediately in the line and looked up at me like- I'm ready!)
Let's change your diaper, take a bath (she now knows how to turn the bath water on- yikes!)She knows where to throw the diapers away, she closes all doors, cabinets, refridgerator door if left open...or not...if the door smacks you in the back- Teagan's trying to close it while you are getting something out.

She is a little sponge and likes to be on the go! I have loved every second spent with her this summer and I can't wait for her to have so much fun at her new daycare. Her teacher is so sweet and really likes Teagan ALOT! She made bunny ears the other day while she was there- they were very cute! I can't wait to see what this school year holds for us!

Our little cupcake is turning one!

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.

I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. It feels like just yesterday we arrived home with Teagan. We are so excited for our family to come into town to celebrate her birthday with us! We have a busy week planned and Adam is off Wednesday and Thursday (her actual birthday)! I have curriculum writing for MISD on Wednesday and Thursday, so he will stay home with her during the day.

We have been so blessed this past year and our hearts have never been so full of love!

Happy Birthday sweet girl! We love you!

What a Mess!

I love sitting back and watching her think...
This video was captured a couple months ago but I thought you would enjoy watching her too.
She can't seem to figure out the spoon so she resorts to just using her fingers. At the end- good thing that bowl sticks, she would've had the bowl on her face licking the yogurt!
Lately she doesn't like to use her hands. Today I met a couple of friends at La Madeline for breakfast and they laughed and laughed as Teagan only picked up the strawberries with her mouth off the place mat and wouldn't use her hands. She also sets her pacifier on the floor and bends over, while standing, (no hands) to pick it up with her mouth! :)
She is too funny!

Practicing with fork

Excuse the crazy hair. We just got home from the pool!

When the weather turns HOT

Teagan LOVES the water- and the water was FREEZING!
Here she is playing in her new pool and loving it.

May Madness

I feel like joining in sometimes!With all joking aside.....this month is flying by!! The end of the school year always seems to pass quickly with my to-do list growing longer each day! But I LOVE when I can mark the items off my list as completed as well as place a huge X on my desk top calendar at school. OH and counting down the days with my class is even better!! Gets me excited for summer vacation!! Today we counted 26 days left!!

As most of you know I am going to be starting at a new school AGAIN in August! This change is a huge opportunity to "spread my wings" as my administrators would say! I am going to be helping open a new school and I am very grateful for this amazing opportunity! It most likely will be the last elementary school opening in this district and I will be a part of the team that helped open it! I will still be teaching first grade but will be taking on a new role as team leader of first grade!!!

I am excited to see what is to come with this and I am confident it will be a great experience! So, I am busy packing up my room and am sort of enjoying it! I love fresh beginnings and having a chance to get more organized than the year before. Planning classroom layout, decorating, and getting everything situated and prepared for the arrival of a new bunch is what I love to do! The new school is going to be very nice! 2 story, K-2 on ground floor, with built in lockers in each classroom, new and current technology so I will still have my SmartBoard plus some other new media equipment for the students to use. A principal who I already have a strong connection with since she was the one who got me into this district in the first place; only having interviewed me once, and a strong team of teachers that I can't wait to learn and grow with!

On top of the taking down and packing up there are end of the year grades, assessments, spreadsheets, portfolios, cumulative folders, meetings and presentations for Action Team (I am the Academic Action team leader) and have such a great team working together to accomplish amazing Action Plans for this school I am currently at. I enjoy being a part of and helping implement ideas. It kind of reminds me of "Undercover Boss." The teachers- the ones in there everyday- were asked to come up with Action Plans to better/benefit the school and the environment of the school. It's great! Tedious, but great! :)

I am mixed with emotions from all of this change happening. I am excited, anxious, anticipating what's to come, sad to be leaving all of the friendships I've formed at this school, happy with accomplishments. Some bonds will be lasting friendships. They were all there supporting me when I was pregnant with Teagan! When I had her. When I returned to work and went through all of the emotional stages a working mother goes through. I wouldn't trade it for anything! The experience, the advice, the excitement when Teagan hit certain milestones! NOW celebrating her 1st birthday coming up!! I am so looking forward to each one of them being here to celebrate with us!

Teagan is busy busy! Walking everywhere! Loving her freedom to move and go where she wants. She is talking more and pointing to things and showing amazing signs of understanding. She will let us know now when she would like more of something with sign as well as when she's done eating she says "duh" and makes the motion for finished. The video is when she was pointing out ducks in the book. She has found that she really likes ducks! Maybe it has to do with the funny sounding quacking Adam and I do when she finds ducks! :)

Adam had a day off Tuesday and took Teagan to get her blood drawn for lab tests they do now to make sure she isn't anemic, hasn't ingested any lead, etc. SHE WAS PERFECT! No squirm, no cry, not even a peep! She held bear, sat in Adams lap and did great! I was so proud of her and proud of Adam for his calm nature. I know she sensed his calmness and therefore was calm herself! He amazes me with her and with his involvement. Such a great father and husband!

More to come later.....
Have a blessed week!!

Grams visits!

Here is a video of Teagan with her baby stroller (walker). Grams brought her camera that can record video! We've had a good time so far, shopping yesterday and a visit to the PGA store today :)