Wow, how time flys, even when you aren't having fun. I've just been extremely busy and traveling A LOT. There is much to catch up on that I think I will take it in steps. I don't want one extremely long, overwhelming post. So I will post each happening in its own rightful post. This one is just a refresher or restarter, since I have been out of the loop of posting for awhile. When you are full time SAHM, and take online classes, travel and tons of other extras it becomes difficult to keep up with fun, relaxing, escapes that you usually enjoy, such as this blog.

Well, since it is late tonight, or rather this morning, I am going to start the catching up in the morning.

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne

We are offically moved back into our apartment with furniture back in place as of last night. However, we aren't done yet. The carpet guys have to finish tacking down the carpet at the entry way and deal with a stain that they missed on the carpet because the couch was sitting mostly over it. So, I will see today what they are going to do about it exactly.

Then, of course, we have to get all of our clothes put back away. That is going to take awhile. And get the kitchen back in order. Everything of a loose end nature seemed to have gotten thrown into the kitchen to get it out of the way, so it is not functionable right now.

Dispite all this, it is nice to be back in our own apartment with our things and our furniture. It was uncomfortable sitting on the floor or a worn out bean bag in the other completely empty apartment.

I am just glad it is almost over!!

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne

Friday was JP's 9 month Well Baby Check-up. Our pediatrician was out and some other doc was there. I have to say I really don't like him. He has some terrible "bedside" manners. He evidently wanted to see JP's throat for some reason and decided to shove a tongue depressor into his mounth and proceed to try and pry JP's mouth open. JP was fussing and fighting. I was just kinda looking at him weird. He stopped and said, "Oh well, I don't really need to see his throat anyways." That left me wondering why he did it to begin with. He gave no explaination.

Other than that odd and difficult to watch JP go through event, the appointment went well. He is still 27 1/2" long, though I would bet to say he is longer since they have some very rudamentary measuring methods. He weighs 21 lbs., yeah! He gained 3 lbs since his 6 month visit, which is great, because he weighed 18 lbs at both 4 months and 6 month visits. So I was excited, especially since he is still exclusively nursing. The doc and nurse practitioner both said he was doing great and not to worry that he isn't eating solids yet, just keep trying to feed them to him like I have been doing. When he is ready he'll eat them.

So, I am glad he gained some more weight, and also glad that he doesn't go back for another 3 months. We don't particularly care for our trips to the doctor's office. They are long, drawn-out, and full of "really" sick people, which I don't like to be around myself much less having JP around them.

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne

WELL...

We are experience some technical difficulties with our apartment! 
The unit behind us flooded due to the hose that connects the toilet to the plumbing busting off. Well, it also flooded our apartment. I'd say about 2/3 of our apartment was flooded. With Joe in the middle of taking board review and boards this coming weekend it's been a bit stressful. They moved us to an empty 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment that is completely bare. Our mattress, JP's toys, personal items, kitchen supplies, and our salvaged clothing is all that we have here. The rest of our belongings are crammed along the back wall of the living room and bedroom (the ONLY dry areas of the apartment).

They say we should be back in our apartment by this weekend, but with Joe taking boards and I have JP, I don't know how much moving of our stuff will take place. Perhaps on Sunday, once boards are over.

Then I am also dealing with not having text books for my classes yet and the first few quizes and assignments are due soon.

So, all in all, its a bit crazy here!  

Also, I realize this was not a good follow up to my "Stinkin Stress" post. I hope things will calm down soon.

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne

Today has just been a very crazy day. I feel stressed and tired. My online classes have started and they are a bit time consuming in getting things organized and such. I'd think the instructors would be a little more organized and user friendly with posting files, but they aren't. What should be an easy save as a word doc file turns into a HUGE copy and paste party that lasts for hours. Then I also have an infection right now due to JP's biting while nursing. Not comfortable or fun to deal with. I hurt so bad. Today is one of those days you want to either sleep it away or curl up on the couch in a nice cozy blanket with some hot chocolate (since it is raining out) and have someone else wait on you. To bad, my waiter is waiting on his patients at the clinic.

Just when I try to relax JP needs something, food, diaper change, sleep, or just attention. Not to mention the dogs continuous barking at nothing that prevents me from relaxing as well. Man do I wish we had a backyard. That would be glorious.

Well, I guess that's enough venting for now. I hope my next post will be a little more light and up lifting.

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne

JP has started saying Dada. It isn't always in relation to Joe. Sometimes he is just babbling and saying it. But he is creating words none the less. I can't wait till he is saying Mama.

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne

Well, Joe is out of school for a few weeks. Though he is still up there everyday seeing patients. He starts tri 8 on September 10th. Yeah, only 2 more trimesters to go. Start my online classes on Monday, August 27th. I will also be starting my training to become an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and a La Leche League Leader. So, we will both be pretty busy this fall with course work. Then when Joe graduates in April next year I start back to school at Parker in May. I will have 3 more years, though. I just hope and pray to get through them without getting pregnant again. JP is a blessing, but his unexpected arrival certainly changed up my schooling plans, but only temporarily.

JP is learning his sign language well. He knows milk, sleep, and potty pretty well. He knows the sign for milk the best and that is the one he has reproduced. I am going to start the "Teach Your Baby to Read" program with him to get him more familiar with words. They say that they start to speak and read earlier with a larger vocabulary and higher reading skill level. Definitely not going to pressure him, just expose him to more words.

Well, I guess its true you never really stop learning, and you start from day one of life. So, onward we go.

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne

Well, JP is hitting so many milestones. He started crawling at 5 1/2 months, and he sat up on his own the same week he started crawling. The very next week he was pulling up on things and standing. The next week he was taking steps while holding on to things. All of this he accomplished by 6 months. Now he is 8 months and trying to stand with out support. Joe and I think he will be walking by 9 months. So, he has 3 more weeks of practice and we will see.

Oh, I almost forgot, he is also climbing. He started climbing on low to the ground boxes, totes, and things at about 7 months. But just a few days ago I turned around and he was standing in his rocking chair (that was secured to the playpen to keep it from tipping). I was in awe for a bit. Then he started fussing because he didn't know how to get down. I started teaching him how to climb back down and he is trying, but he still gets stuck and starts fussing.

He is a mover and a shaker. He will be keeping me on my toes.

Also, he has cut his first two teeth. The bottom front two teeth started cutting through about 2 weeks ago. I think he is starting to cut some more now.

He is truly amazing.

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne

Hi, and welcome to the DuChene Family blog site. This site is to keep family and friends up to date on the happenings with the DuChene Family and to communicate with each other.
If you have a blog site and want to connect with ours, let me know.

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne