Spring Forward

I think I am still recovering from losing an hour of sleep the other night, but I am thoroughly enjoying these longer days!  It was actually daylight still when I got off work Sunday. I have slept later than normal for the past two mornings, which is frustrating because I really need to be getting up and getting started for the day.  Bedtime for Norah Kate hasn't been going as smoothly.  Even though she is acting sleepy at 8pm (7pm old time), she is fighting sleep something serious.  I have been putting her to bed regardless though at 9pm.  If she gets in the habit of staying up until 10 that would be a tough one to break!

We have also finally had some sunshine and warmer weather.  We have gone outside every day for the last several days.  I am really looking forward to spring and summer days with her because she LOVES being outside, and I do too!

Checkin' on Daddy's greens 

We went to the pediatrician last week to have her ears re-checked from an ear infection a few weeks ago, and her ears were perfect. Now we have a cough. (sigh)  Poor baby seems to get a cold with every tooth she cuts.

I have been on a summer clothes buying frenzy for NK.  I have got to quit before I go broke.  She is so much fun to shop for though!  Gymboree, Smocked Auctions, and Zulily are going to end up getting me in trouble!  I am not a brand snob though, I will buy something from Walmart in a heartbeat if I think it is cute.

I am so excited about her first Easter!  I can't wait to watch her hunt eggs.  I am even more excited that I will be off from work to watch her!

I survived my first week of school.  It was stressful, but I think it is going to be do-able.  I am just going to have to adjust my routine some, manage my time a little better, and priortize things.  I am just praying to survive these next 18 months without a nervous breakdown.

Miss Priss is truly a little diva and it's all my fault.

 

 

I have been painting her toe nails and she loves it. 

 

We read books every day. 

 

She talks on her phone all the time. 

 

She has been making fish faces. 

 

She has learned to "color" (or scribble).  I bought her some jumbo crayons yesterday, but I am going to have be careful with this activity so that I don't have a mess. 

 

She loves grapes, strawberries, sweet potatoes, and yogurt. 

 

She will still eat just about anything though... except corn, which I think is wierd. 

 

She is also a little mama; she takes good care of her baby dolls: feeds them, rocks them, and changes their diapers.

 

She is starting to understand diaper changing. I can tell her to lets change her diaper and she walks to her room and stands at her changing table.  I am thinking potty training is around the corner.

 

She is turning into a monkey and climbing up and on everything.  Scary.

 

Her hair is growing like a weed!

 

She gave me a heart attack the other morning.  She pulled my jewelry armoire on top of her.  All she got was a bruise above her left eye and I had the shakes until mid-afternoon.

 

 

 

I am loving life with that little girl.  Heart attacks and all :)

What Am I Thinking?

Starting March 4 my life as I know it will be changing.  Yep, you are looking at one of the newest students at Walden University.  My books came in the mail last week and we paid for my classes a few days ago. Yikes!  I am a bundle of nerves and this could possibly be the hardest, longest 18 months I have had to endure yet.  I am ready though.... for it to be over. Haha!

Walden University is an accredited online school. I am enrolled in their Family Nurse Practitioner program. I should complete the program in 18 months by going full-time. I took a Pathophysiology class a few summers ago while I was pregnant with Norah Kate and luckily those credits transfer! Yay! That saves me a little time and money. Also, I can arrange for all of my clinicals to take place locally. I plan to keep on working for now... we will play it by ear and see how the next few months go.

I don't know if I am quite ready to be back in student mode, especially with a husband, a toddler, and a full time job.  When I was going to my Bachelor's it was a completely different story... no husband, no baby... just a boyfriend and a 10-12 hour/week part-time job.  I am really nervous about how I am going to balance it all, but I have always been pretty motivated and when I set goals I accomplish them.

 

My Goals for Graduate School:

#1 Don't lose my mind.  I must somehow maintiain my sanity through this.

#2 NOTHING comes before Norah Kate.  She is my number 1 priority and it is essential that I don't let anything take away this precious time with her.  She is already growing to fast.  Even if that means waking up early or staying up late to do schoolwork.

#3 Not go in major debt by taking out tons of student loans.

#4 Finish.  Even when it gets tough, when I want to quit, when I want to throw my laptop and books out the window.  I can't.  We have already invested money, so I have to finish.  It's what is best for our family.

Really though, I am excited.  I am looking forward to what my future will hold.  I have always loved learning and have always loved being a student.  This time I just have a couple other obligations and priorities to go along with it.  People do it everyday though, with jobs, husbands, kids...  If it is anything like that last 18 months, the next 18 months with FLY by.

#bringiton