MIA: What's been goin' on...

So, I just realized that nothing has been posted for, uh--4 weeks! whoops. Let me just do a quick rundown and later, maybe, I can be a bit more specific, (even though everything is ancient history now!)
1. Madeline had a fantastic birthday party. She's 3 and she is HOTSTUFF! Let's just say that 3 years old will definitely be more of a challenge than the "terrible 2s." We had a bounce house, and even though the company was just terrible, (I've still got to complain about them), the kiddos enjoyed jumping. After everyone left some of the adults enjoyed the bouncer as well. A few of us even came super close to turning the whole thing on it's side. (I won't mention any names!) After Mommy & Daddy, (Renato & I), started having fun in the jumper, Madeline decided that it was just horrible. She screamed and cried and did the whole works! Oh, the joy! We also had a slight meltdown when Madeline's parrot pinata was beat down. Some angel, (I think it was the grandpa team), taped the parrot together so the party could go on. However, in the end, Madeline LOVED turning 3 and she has been living it up with all her new loot.

2. Amelie got her hearing aids. Maybe I should call them magic ears, they seem to be working really well! We've been in and out of the audiologist's office and Amelie has adjusted really well to wearing the aids. We've adjusted to putting the little boogers on, (although they do have a habit of falling out, or being yanked off by our little sweetie--she thinks it's a game!) Now Amelie can enjoy hearing our voices and be quite involved in the dramatic life of her older sister. Whoohoo! Unfortunately, the aids do give quite a bit of feedback, but the doctor said that would most likely only annoy the heck out of us and Amelie should be "just fine!" That's a relief. I feel so incredibly pleased that Amelie's magic ears are working well and that we were able to give her the gift of sound so soon! (Thank you Mom & Dad, Opa & Julie!) Right now, Renato and I are in the midst of "home visits" from a state support as well as a correspondance class from a private institution. I'm applying for a grant to help pay for earmolds, etc. since our insurance won't pay for a penny. It's overwhelming to think about all of it at once, so we're trying to focus on each day/appointment at a time. We have another big bombardment of appts. next week and I'm sooo thankful that I haven't had to return to work yet! (Thank you Lourdes & Robert!)

3. Pics. I'm swapping them out. Enjoy the new ones!

4. PRESCHOOL, Daycare, WORK! oh man. I've decided in lieu of going nuts on OCtober 1, I'm sending Madeline to school in a week. She's ready, I'm ready...is the school ready? I think not! While Madeline is a beautiful, sweet, smart, fun little girl, she's also extremely dramatic and likes to make, (not follow), the rules. I'm hoping & praying that she can comply with her new teachers! We're sending her to Little Lamb preschool, its at our church. They seem to be on the stricter side of life so I'm pretty nervous!
Amelie & I will start daycare/work on Oct. 1. Only 2 more weeks to go--yikes! Deep down inside I'm wondering if I'll be able to cope. I've been off the job for 6 months now and I think I've completely forgotten how to be a professional! Will my feet be able to stand around in heels? Will my work clothes even fit? OH boy.

5. Teething. Need I say more?

6. Positive pregnancy test. Let's see who's reading this thing anyway!