Dear Rachel, How are the kids?

Dear Rachel,

Hey girl. How are you doing? Sounds like you have had some fun things lately with church, choir and games sound fun. Would love the latest update on all the kids, what's up in their lives, are they liking school, Katie and Mark's recent accomplishments... and all that fun, crazy family stuff. Talk to you soon.

Love Leah

3 hours ago · Comment · Like

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Dear Leah,

I'm alive.  I'm doing better each month, but it's hard to see it each day.

Mark is talking more, repeating words.  He says Mama (huge for him).   He's got polka dots on his face and a horrible bleeding rash on his bum. Done everything, now Doc says it's allergies.  He's been wheat free 1 month, oat free 2 weeks, and now dairy free for 5 days.  His face looks great!  Except when he eats nasty meats like Jerky or Bologna.

Katelyn is finally potty training, mostly on her own.  If we suggest it, or ask it, she's likely to fall right on the floor screaming.  Screamed 3 hours last night.  And 1 hour this morning after she saw Alex's last cupcake packed in his lunch.  The kids give her whatever she wants so she doesn't scream.  Mark too for that matter.  Katelyn will be drinking from a bottle forever….as soon as she gets home from Kindergarten even!  Mark will do it as long as Katelyn does it. 

Emily still pouts like a baby, but is growing in to a lovely girl.  She's bigger than Alex by a few inches and several pounds.  She's and Alex started piano lessons last month.  They are both doing well. She's having a harder time of it.  More than I expected, knowing her past of weak muscle tone.  Holding her wrist up, playing with her quiet fingers in the air.  She's working on it. Emily's our chef, trying to cook at any time.  Nanny Julie and Grant tolerate it well.

Alex is a natural, already doing two handed stuff.  His finger is better.  Still looks odd.  But no bandage.  He even plays piano with it, but plays with that finger flat, since it's still sensitive.  Alex has really stepped up his school work.  He keeps his binder organized.  He's doing all his homework ALONE!

We still have Nanny Julie. she really is part of our family, part of parenting decision conversations. So far the plan is to keep her full time until the end of the year. If she doesn't have new work, we'll do part time. Otherwise I’ll be on my own then.

I'm doing more with the family. I'm out on the couch in the mornings and afternoons. Just laying there next to the after school chaos took time until I could tolerate it. I'm doing piano practicing. I'm driving kids to clubs. Kudos to Julie for being able to work with me right there next to here.

Grant has continued to be a huge support to me, even by phone or text.  He's been having regular guy chat time (what do they call it?) every Monday.  We've had Joe, a single Microsoft guy, join us for FHE.  Then kids go off to bed, and conversation continues.  Grant might think I'm going out on a limb, but I think he actually has a...a friend!  

So that's how we're doing, in six "wall to wall" face book blocks. Now it's your turn! How are you?

Love,

Rachel

4 minutes ago · Comment · Like