Happy Two Month Birthiversary!

Kaleia Shalom is two months old!

Her name means joy and happiness and Kaleia is definitely living up to it. Her big eyes smile up to you like you are the most important person in the world and it is almost impossible to stay mad or frustrated. When I come home after a long day at work all I need is a smile and a coo and none of it matters any more.

She has a mostly happy disposition in spite of continued tummy issues. Happily, her spit-up is rarely projectile any more. Instead, amazing quanities slowly ooze out her mouth and trickle down her neck (mmmmm); it's a wonder she is gaining any weight, but gaining and growing she is. A recent spurt has brought her up to 12 pounds (75 percentile) and 24 inches long (95th percentile). Though she is not up to where her sister was at this age, there are definitely no worries about her health now. One bonus is she gets to stay in her three month clothes a bit longer.

Kaleia studies the world just like her big sister did, taking in all that she can. She is mesmerized by her hands as well as the faces of her family. Unlike her sister, she loves tummy-time. When on her playmat, rather than attempting to roll like Magnolia, Kaleia will inch-worm on her back to get a better look around.

We seem to have fallen into a pretty regular schedule, with night-time sleeps getting longer and longer. Just in time for Mama to go back to work. Thank you Kaleia! As long as we stay pretty close to the schedule - eat, play, sleep - wherever we are she is a happy, easy-going baby. Some people say when it comes to children you're given only what you can handle--well, with two babies as easy as ours have been, Someone must not think we can handle much!

Counting with Mrs. Rush

1 national teaching certificate
2 high schools
3 years as an instructional coach
4 years as class advisor
5 student teachers
6 dances chaperoned
7 different classrooms
8 math courses
9 years under my belt

Today, I start my 10th year teaching and my all-time student total will surpass 11 hundred as I meet this year's (12 x 10) students.

Wish me luck!

Washington State Law ESSB 5037

Washington State put the following law into effect as of July 1, 2008:
Any person operating a moving motor vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to
his or her ear is guilty of a traffic infraction unless the person is:

• operating an authorized emergency vehicle;
• using a hands-free wireless communications device in hands-free mode;
• operating an amateur radio and possesses a valid amateur radio operator license from the Federal Communications Commission;
• using a hand-held wireless communications device to report illegal activity, summon
  medical or emergency assistance, or prevent injury to a person or property.

The penalty for an infraction is a $101 ticket.

Last weekend, while driving, Magnolia was talking on her play cell phone. As usual, after a while she wanted us to talk on her phone. She stretched it toward Brian in the passenger seat and said, "Papa phone." He held a pretend conversation, then: "oh, what's that? You want to talk to Magnolia again? Here you go." She refused the phone, pointed at me -- the driver -- and said "Mama!"

As per Magnolia's request, Brian handed me the phone and I began a surprisingly pleasant chat with a piece of plastic. Suddenly remembering the new cell phone law I stopped to voice my concern: "I wonder if I can get a ticket for this?"

I can just see the headlines: "Motorist Ticketed for Talking on Pretend Cell Phone."