The house is soooo quiet right now. Michael's at school (started back yesterday), and Travis fell asleep after supper before I could even give him his bath. I kind of thought Michael would have a short night at school tonight, it being the first night of the class and all, but I think the school has come up with this new rule that the teachers actually have to keep the students the whole time, even if it's just to chat about sports or whatever's current. I dunno, that just seems kinda BLAH for night class. A LOT of students that go at night are often times older, married, have full-time jobs, kids, etc., and probably just want to get the lectures, get the notes, take the tests, and get out, and night class doesn't let out 'til 9:00 p.m. Even on test nights, the teachers are now required to at least show a video. I used to love test days because it meant I could go in, hurry up and take my test and be out of there and have the rest of the night to do whatever. Not anymore. Oh well, I don't make the rules, but the rules stink! At least we already ate supper before he left for school. After he left, I cleaned up the kitchen, mopped the kitchen, vaccumed the living room, the hallway, and the kids' rooms, dusted a few things, and gave Jacob his bath.

While I could sit here and rant about some disturbing information I learned from my Mother yesterday, I am not going to waste any more time and energy on it than I have in this sentence. Besides, it's yesterday's news, really, and I'd like to keep it thata way.

Instead, I want to talk about Jacob. My sweet little 14-month-old baby boy. His vocabulary has grown over the last couple weeks...lol...he can say 2 more words. He could already say "Mama", "Dada", and "Bye Bye" (the later, only when you ARE NOT trying to get him to say it). NOW he can say "Thank You" (which comes out more like Kah-Kah, which means he's picking up on the "k" sound in "thank", and he mocks my tone every time he says it), and he can also say "Uh Oh" which comes out more like "Eh Eh", but once again, he mimicks the exact tone I use when saying it. So it's just REALLY CUTE! He doesn't pronounce the words right just yet, but he understands the meaning of the words.

Speaking of baths, something else Jacob does that I think is funny is when bath time rolls around, he transforms into a baby whale. Once he's in the tub, he raises both legs simultaneously, then plops them both back into the water at the same time. Then he picks up speed and splashes water EVERYWHERE. By the time his bath is over, there's a huge puddle of water in the floor, and I'm soaked and have to change clothes. Something about babies...if they are going to have to get a bath, they want to make sure Mom or Dad gets a bath, too.

I am bored & tired, and there's really not much else to do besides watch the Olympics or surf the net. I'd lay down on the couch, but then I'd fall asleep, and I can't do that because Jacob's not asleep yet. I wish Michael would get home soon! :(

Michael stayed home from work today because he wasn't feeling too great (sinus stuff), plus the fact that he hasn't taken a day off in like FOREVER, so he stayed home today. And I took advantage of him being home and I went out for awhile, ALL BY MYSELF. A rare treat, indeed. I went to the bank to make a deposit, went to Kohl's and bought 2 really cute tops, a necklace and a pair of earrings, and a stuffed animal for each of the kids (a green alligator for Travis, and a blue lizard for Jacob). I had not really bought myself ANYTHING in awhile. Seriously, whenever I have been given money to actually buy something for myself, I almost always feel guilty for buying something for ME, and many times I end up using the money for stuff we need instead of stuff I want. What's weird is that I used to be a shop-o-holic. I'd see this and that and I'd buy it if I wanted it. Of course, those were the days when I actually worked a job and had a nice check coming in every 2 weeks. Being a mother has really changed me in that area...now I don't even think twice about stuff I want usually, and instead I'll spend money that was given to ME on the kids or to take the family out to eat somewhere good. There's just not a whole lot that I want these days, and when I do see something I want, I have a lot more discipline to say "Nope, I can't afford that" or "I'll wait 'til it goes on sale". The way I see it, I have the BEST job in the world, being a stay-at-home mom, and the pay and benefits are far beyond any monetary benefits I could ever hope to get from any other job.

Well quiet time is over...Travis is up and wants to watch Dora. I can't believe he's awake! Now he'll NEVER go back to sleep tonight! Oh well...that's it for me! Have a good night!