the latest

I thought I would share a little bit about how the Hays family is doing. We are good. This weekend, although Joe worked both Saturday and Sunday, it felt like we had a little bit of him back. The time he did spend with the family was time he was able to be here both physically AND mentally. That felt good. He is working so hard both because it is his first year and because he doesn’t know how to do a job half-way. We are so proud of him.

Because Joe is working so much, however, I am very thankful to be living with my parents. Although you will find me driving around the neighborhood on Sunday afternoons looking for Open Houses, we are not really in the market to buy a home. Not yet. Not until things slow down just a bit for Joe or I grow an extra arm.

Truth be told, I like living my parents. I love watching them enjoy the older two and seeing them drool over Opal. I like sharing meals with them and hearing about their days. It’s nice to have some adult conversation available if I want it. I have a new appreciation for cultures where generations of family live under the same roof – often for survival. My parents are helping me to survive this present time.

As for the kids, Sophia is truly enjoying first grade. She went into the school year timid about learning to read but her skills are taking off. She is making new friends and is excited to go in the mornings. She still likes to play “teacher” with anyone who is willing and cracks me up with the outfits she finds to wear. The other day she came home from school and immediately changed her clothes. I found her in the backyard like this:

Ira also loves his time in the “frog room”. Every now and then we will be going somewhere when I’ll hear another child yelling “Ira!” and realize it is one of his classmates. Who doesn’t love that kid? He is a lover of all animals and the other day I caught him observing a praying mantis. Yikes. He is still receiving Speech, OT, and PT and we have made no headway in the eating department. He has one favorite food and that is strawberry yogurt. Everything else is disgusting. Yes, even chocolate ice cream

Opal had her two month check-up today. She is in the 99% for weight and 75% for height. She came out of the womb with the skills…she will probably have to teach her brother one day. She is smiling and cooing and just plain being her cute self.

We have joined a church – Union Avenue Christian Church – and are looking forward to getting involved by teaching the children’s class. I have joined the choir and sang for the second time with them yesterday. They were so welcoming to us that we could not NOT join. Suzanne, the pastor, has been nothing but a blessing to our lives the past 3 months.

I am feeling much better. I’m still taking medication and feel like it is helping me stay on top of my life. I’m able to feel joy and find myself smiling more than I have in a while. I’m enjoying my kids, my parents, my life. I’m thankful for this. With October around the corner, I find myself feeling nostalgic for Brooklyn. This is my favorite time of year and Halloween was my favorite holiday there. I will miss hangin’ out on the stoop with good friends and neighbors. I’m eager to discover what will become my favorite part of living in St. Louis.