The Sounds of My Life

When I was working in a research lab, our successes were measured on a defined scale: did we perform the experiments correctly and in a way that will lead to publishing our work, can we interpret the data correctly, etc. We were always working toward a goal and had weekly meetings to evaluate our progress on those goals.

Being a mom is much different. I still have goals for my children, but they are usually more abstract goals: are they happy, are the growing physically and emotionally, are they developing into the wonderful people that they have the potential to be. R and I discuss these goals and attempt to evaluate their progress, but sometimes it's difficult when compared to the evaluations in the research lab.

My recent attempts at evaluating the progress of my children have emerged in a pattern called, "The Sounds of My Life."

First A1 loves to sing and learn, so our evaluation at how well she is doing in this category:

(That's the alphabet song, in case you can't tell.) She loves to sing this song, Happy Birthday, and Old MacDonald all day long.

A2 has finally added a very different sound to my life: the sound of silence. He is sleeping through the night! I can get a full 8 hours of sleep now. Hurray!

And R has given us the sounds of laughter. He is on a much easier rotation, so he can actually come home at a decent hour and play with the kids while they're still awake. What a great blessing!

How are the evaluations on your progress coming along? What goals have you been able to accomplish recently?

A2 Is Huge!

A2 went in for his 2 month well child visit. He is 22 inches in length (25th percentile) and 12 lb. 13 oz in weight (75th percentile). He has already outgrown his 0-3 month clothes. The pediatrician is pleased with his neck muscle development (he can hold his head up while laying on his tummy and while sitting up) and was very impressed with his verbal development (he was laughing and cooing the entire time we were there). She says A2 will probably be an early talker.
With that prediction from the pediatrician and a smirk like this, I'm sure he's going to be a debater. You're welcome, Grandpa!

Another Birthday!

R turned 29 yesterday. After a long day on a new rotation, then spending an hour in traffic to drive 5 miles (ah, LA traffic!), he made it home for birthday cheesecake and cookies. A1 sang "Happy Birthday" multiple times and A2 smiled and "talked" to him. We then gave him some new clothes and the recently released "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" from J. K. Rowling.

This, unfortunately, is the usual interaction between R and the kids.

We are so grateful to have a man that works so hard to provide for us and then spends what little waking time he has at home playing with A1 and A2. We love you, Daddy!