"Swapping"

No pictures yet, but I promise to upload some tomorrow...I should have some free time!

My first few weeks as a student have been busy but refreshing! I love learning new things, especially in topics that interest me. I have THREE tests next week (although I'm only taking two courses). I have to take a math placement test in addition to my regularly scheduled tests, because I've basically procrastinated!

Anyway, Noel has added a few new words to her vocabulary this week...

"Backpack", "What's that?" and "Fishies"

She also had her four canines break through her gumline, so she officially has 16 teeth total! It's amazing how much she's changed just in the past month. Every stage she goes through, I think to myself "this is my favorite age!". I feel so grateful for being able to stay with her this past year and see all of these changes take place. They really do grow too fast!

In other news, our "swap" is working out wonderfully. Hunter and Maia came over to our house for the first time last Friday. I was a little bit concerned about how it was going to all play out, since Maia and Noel go down for naps at the same time, and Maia reportedly cries when she's left with an unfamiliar babysitter. We had many playdates before we actually began "swapping", but Maia is very attached to her mommy!

Anyway, after about 10 minutes, Maia seemed to finally realize that her mom was actually gone...so she began to cry. And then Noel began to cry. Oh no!

But since it was both their nap times, it was easy to fix...so I put Noel down in a jiffy, and came back for Maia, going through her naptime routine as Tami had instructed. However, she didn't much feel like stories or bottles, so I just rocked and sang to her, until she relaxed and put her down for her nap. Hunter was patiently (and silently) waiting for me to finish so that we could play. How many 2.5 year olds do you know that are patient OR silent??

While Maia napped, Hunter and I had so much fun! We built a big wall with the legos, and then decided to build a tower as tall as him! We talked about his trips to the beach to see his grammy and poppy, and when he lost his tooth on their trip up to see them.

He is SO ADORABLE!! I could just eat him up. Today Tami sent me an email letting me know that her classes had been cancelled and she wouldn't be bringing them by tomorrow. She said...

"I guess we'll just stay home tomorrow. Although I'm sure Hunter, especially, will be sad not to see Noel. Hunter is all about the love these days. He told Eric he loved Noel. And he told me again that: "I love Noel. And I love Kelly. Do Noel and Kelly love me, too?" "

I look forward to being able to understand Noel better and having conversations with her. It's amazing to hear what goes through a little mind!