Nov. 1

Wow, my blog is over 2 years old now. I wish I still had my old one archived somewhere. I'd have so many years of journaling!

I'll try to work backwards. Halloween was great. The kids trick or treated in my MIL's neighborhood. They were both witches and Jude was a devil. I'll post pictures soon. Jude was a trip. Once he caught on that people were giving him stuff at each house, he started trying to push the girls out of his way to get to the doors and tried to bully his way into each house! He would take the candy, put it in his bucket and give the person a *huge* cheesy grin. It was sooo cute :).

Now I have too much candy to eat ;). I really need to be careful too! I had an appointment with the doctor (can't remember if I blogged about this or not, but I don't think so) and I need to get some bloodwork done. I am getting my rheumatoid factor checked, as I'm having arthritis in my fingers and toes. She said I'm very young to have it, and she wants to rule out immune system problems (sound familiar? Geez. I hope it's not me that passed on stuff to soren). I also have to get my cholesterol checked, just as a baseline, and get my fasting sugar, because of how my hypoglycemia is getting worse and worse.

For the most part, I've been doing a good job with eating less sugar. I'm down to no sugar in my coffee and I try really hard not to eat the kids' sugary cereal, although that's hard, because I hate breakfast anyway and it's an easy out.

Emma had a doctor's appointment too. she has five warts on her hands, and had them frozen. She has to go back next week to have them redone. The first time wasn't bad, but Tom tells me that the second time is more painful. I hope it's not too bad for her.

Soren has been good and healthy for a while, thank goodness. She's enjoying all her activities but cut back to two days a week at the gym, because she was feeling overscheduled. She went back to therapy twice a month. After her last appointment was cancelled, her behavior was appalling. I think that the therapist hasn't really gotten to the root of anything yet, and she agrees. Soren is very closed off and won't talk about her dad at all.

Jude is climbing everything in sight now. He loves to be outside, especially when there's a sandbox, a swing and a slide. He isn't saying any more words. I wish that he would say "up" and "more," have a word for nursing, and would find a word for Soren's name. He has actually been talking *less* after a brief stint of acquiring new words, so that has me a little concerned. I really think it's just because we pander to him all the time and we know what he wants without him having to talk. Stinker!

He loves to vacuum and sweep with the broom. He loves food! But he also loves to nurse all night long, which is wearing on me. I'm trying to think of solutions, but haven't come up with anything good.

Tom and I are good. We are more broke than ever though. Work has fallen off for him, and it's really hurting. He applied at Home Depot yesterday. I hope they call him. I've been working more, but not enough to make up the difference.

We hired two new coaches that left another gym. They are wonderful but a bit intimidating! Maria is going to take over my classes and I'm going to do more business work, which I have mixed feelings about. I love my kids that I teach!

I have a job interview next Monday at Xerox for a telecommuting job. It is good money, so keep your fingers crossed because we are really in bad shape.

We have about $1000 coming to us by the end of the week and it's all spoken for, plus. We're already $100 in the hole. Grrr.

Anyway, I am tired of complaining about that ;).

We are starting to think about having another baby, but I can't see how we can afford it. First, we can't afford the homebirth midwife, we can't afford more activities for 2 more kids (Jude and a virtual sibling). Argh. I really feel like we're not done though. I know that is crazy ;). Thanks!

A shout out to Karen - how are you? Haven't heard from you in ages and you haven't updated your blog!

Erica - miss you :)