First school project!

Sleep Study

We survived.

For a sleep study there is not much that promotes sleep. Bright lights, television, a very late bedtime, waking kids to reposition breath tunes and electrodes. Kate went to bed almost three hours later than usual. Almost pulled everything off in a tantrum at 1am. Glad to be home. Bought them Toys r Us "thank you for not losing it" presents....

She had electrodes glued to her legs to see if she kicks, to her throat to see if she talks, to her head and scalp for brain waves measuring sleep cycles, to her chest for heartbeat, a finger clip for oxygen measurement, a band around her chest and her belly to guage breathing movements in addition to the tunes in her nostrils to measure breathing. I'm sure I'm missing some.

This is my kid who needs a heavy blanket, her sheets tight, her hair off her neck, her clothes just right and not itchy.... It's a miracle we slept at all.

Now to wait for the results...

Birthday Planning

Nothing is greater than an Oriental Trading Company catalog amoung friends... Let the party planning begin!

Braindeath

When you haven't had more than thirty nights in six years of sleeping through the night you do weird things. Like, buy beds. Beds and more beds. We buy them as though they might actually create sleep. Haha. If only they had a mouth and could gobble you up and... Anyway... We have: two twin beds, that can be Bunker, one twin that can be lofted, an inflated twin in our outside workshop that gets frequently slept in and a queen. And... Four people... We have discovered that the backyard is peaceful and sleeping on an air mattress in the workshop is quieter and more comfortable than the living room couch. We have beds all over so people can sleep in any room, anytime, with anyone. It all feels like college without the thrill or the ability to sleep in.

Counting down to the sleep study... And hopefully... A decrease in the number of beds in my house...

New "Kate Creamed Corn"

She decided she wants to make a cookbook with her own recipe adaptations.

Jacob

This morning Jacob wanted a horsey ride. Paul said no. Jacob's response: daddy, you are breaking my heart.

Pony ride results.

Two weeks down

Highs and lows, but overall we have all survived. Happy for a weekend of chilaxing. Bedtime still is 6:30 or earlier. Kinda crazy. But it seems to be working. Some meltdowns. Complaints about having to sit for so long, having only two fifteen minute recess times, about having to "say that prayer with that flag" in the morning... But overall she loves her teacher, and is getting lots of good attention from her old teachers who have showered her with love and left her notes in Jacob's box. Feel so lucky for that little daycare. Might have to have a third just to stay there. I'm going to have a nervous breakdown on our last day. This is the place I go and sit around and talk in the morning when I need community... Sigh...

Kate has a "new best friend" at her school but I haven't managed to meet her mom yet. I'm in this weird world of parents who can pick up their kids at 2:45. We hang out, the kids play. I'm hoping it is a way to get connected.

Jacob is adjusting. This week has been much better. Slathering special attention and treats on them. Lots of parent time to help them feel better.

Next weekend we spend the night at Dell Children's with electrodes taped to my kids. Sounds fun.