Well, our camera is still MIA. I am just not that motivated to post when there are no pictures. But you keep checking to see if I have, so I will give some updates, boring as it may be with just words.

Amelia
We went to the holistic pediatrician in Newport last week, and she confirmed that we do indeed have a very healthy, developmentally on-target baby. She said she is concerned about all of the yelling (A cooperated quite nicely as we tried to give the doc an accurate snapshot of her temperament,) but didn't really offer any solutions we hadn't already employed. She agrees that there is something different about A's awareness of the world, like she notices more than she should. I think she may have some sensory integration issues.

I also took her to see Michelle, the acupuncturist I work with. NO, not to get needled. That visit was actually very very helpful, and Michelle showed me some massage techniques to use with her and a LOT of diet suggestions. So I have been cooking and juicing up a storm. It's hard to explain Traditional Chinese Medicine, but I will just say that A is very tense, and a lot of her issues stem from overall tension that I need to help her with. So far, she does seem to be loosening up, but it will take time. And Michelle confirmed that possibility of some sensory integration problems, but assured me that they will probably resolve in a couple of years.

Amelia is changing so much right now. She is so much FUN! She has found a new, high, squeaky voice and uses it all the time. She inherited a jumper from her cousin and loves it. She will bounce for over an hour and I usually take her out before she gets tired of it. She has a great sense of humor, and it is getting a little easier to get a laugh. Tonight she couldn't get enough of Jeff's gorilla routine, but the trick was that he had to change what he was doing constantly-- once she laughs at one thing a couple of times, it's gotten old. She throws her arms out and shrieks when something is funny, and if we keep it up, she might start choking from laughing too hard. A loves music and being sung to, and today in church during worship she was yelling and squeaking like crazy, it was so exciting to her. She has four teeth now, and is eating all kinds of things. She likes feeding herself the most, and I am still looking for a highchair. I cannot believe the mess a baby can make, and it is a good exercise for me to let her do her worst a couple times a day.

Jeff
Jeff has been working really hard on getting licensed to teach in Washington and searching for jobs. He is already licensed in Oregon, and we will be going to both states this spring for job fairs. He has gotten some good leads so far, and I am so glad that he is ahead of the game in terms of getting this paperwork done. He has had a very successful year at his school, and should be a very strong candidate for the type of work he is looking for.

He has been enjoying learning some new hobbies, namely coffee roasting and sourdough bread baking-- inspired and mentored by the Shack brothers. I have also been enjoying the fruits of his labor!

Me
I am really enjoying work at the acupuncture clinic. I go twice a week four a few hours, and enjoy the commute both ways. I have found that I hardly even listen to music anymore, silence sounds so beautiful to me. Michelle has offered me a lot of different types of opportunities, and although I have had to turn down a few, it feels so great to have someone that is confident in my abilities and provides the opportunities for me to be challenged and broaden my repertoire. This week, I am going to meet with a family a couple of nights to help coach them through starting to buy, cook and eat whole foods. What could be more fun?

It is really hard for me to think about moving this summer, so I don't do it much. But I am beginning to pack a few things up here and there, and am looking forward to getting rid of as much stuff as possible between now and then. I have stopped trying to improve our apartment since we will be undoing it all so soon, and that feels strange. On the other hand, it will be fun to start afresh with a new home and new ideas, and hopefully it will be somewhat permanent.

I am really tired, but I have discovered that I can actually be completely exhausted AND completely happy at the same time. I didn't know that before, and it is a relief to realize it. There are so many sweet moments in my days, and I am striving to be real about the challenges and the joys that I am experiencing all at once.

Maybe I'll look for an older picture to throw in here...

This was taken in December. Enjoy!