Rachel's first birthday party was a success. Everyone had a good time, even the birthday girl. She was very confused when we were singing to her, but she didn't get upset or anything. Spencer helped her eat her cake and it was adorable.
She has started trying to walk more. When I'm holding her up by just one hand, she no longer automatically sits down, she'll try to walk. And she's pushing things and walking behind them too.
Spencer is doing well. His language is coming along well. Sometimes his words are very clear, other times not, but we are doing what we can. I have not noticed an appreciable difference without speech therapy. The big boy bed is still something of a fight at naptimes (like now) and bedtimes. He's getting less sleep, and is crankier because of it, but I'm doing my best to keep my cool.
I finally hired a cleaning service and they came for the first time yesterday. They did a great job. They are supposed to come every other week, but Im going to try to negotiate price so we can afford every week. I doubt it will happen (with this company at least), but I won't know unless I try.
Mike is doing well. He started his new job yesterday. There is an on-site cafeteria so his lunches are taken care of. They have a salad bar, so he can have a fresh healthy meal every day. It won't be cheap, but nothing is. It's much, much closer than his old job so he can sleep a little more and still have time to work out in the morning. And they have an off site gym facility that costs very little to join. He's looking into that. The job itself will be challenging, but hopefully in a good way. And hopefully in a leave-work-at-work way. The people seem to all be nice so far. I'm sure his boss will be a moron (b/c all bosses are) and there will be annoying co-workers, but hopefully nothing nearly as bad as at his past job.
I'm doing well also. I was pissed at Mike all weekend, but I recognized pms weekend going in, so I just kept it to myself and saved us some needless arguments. The kids seem to be getting more difficult. Spencer is having more tantrums and screaming a lot, Rachel is whining a lot and always wants something. And by the time I get him down for a nap, she is waking from hers, so my breaks are few. Actually, he screams loudly because he doesn't want to take a nap and that wakes her. Then he passes out, but she's up early and grumpy. And I've not had a break. We were supposed to go to the zoo today, but got rained out. We are supposed to go out to dinner tonight, so hopefully that will go well. My head is pounding (as usual lately) and I just want to curl up in bed for a couple of days. Other than that I'm fine. I think it's just the rainy day that's got me down a bit, because overall, I really do feel good.