BTW - Three years of language does not always mean three years of the SAME language ;) just that you'll have had to take a cumulative three years of A language. However, most Ivy League schools require you to to take an additional 4 semesters of a foreign language as a graduation requirement -- and they also let you test out of this requirement. So it's in your best interest to study 1 language the whole time, however you can keep up with Italian as a side project and take a year or two of something else in the meantime to go with a reputable HS program.

I vote weed. It looks like something that grows here in my garden - which, if left alone grows to about 2-4' tall and blooms tiny white flowers (really tiny ugly ones :(). The leaves are larger and the stalk fleshier than pokeberries that I've seen, but I never actually let it set fruit, so it might be one, just an alternate type to the common type. I let mine grow the first year or two until I realized that it wasn't ever going to turn into something nice LOL. It might be something interesting like rhubarb, but the leaves taste bitter - if it's the same plant as the ones that grow here. Sorry!

The D&C shouldn't have effected you in this way. I had emergency c-sections for both of my girls, sometimes a natural birth just isn't in the cards :( But the good news is that C-sections aren't as bad as they sound. Instead of being up and walking around after ~4 days comfortably it'll be more like a little over a full week. You husband will have to readjust his expectations accordingly, the more responsibility he's able to take the faster you'll heal and the sooner you'll be back on your feet going full throttle. Most importantly try not to push yourself into doing what you were able to do after your natural births. I hope that you don't have to have one, but if you do -- they're really not so bad!! :)

:iagree: But that said, DC1 does LOVE the games in the books, so I've tried to make up alternate games based on the ones in the book over the past week to supplement our vowel review (we left off at T when I realized that she can't tell me what the 5 vowels are (although she has the song and their sounds and what each letter looks like memorized she can't seem to wrap her head around the fact that they are all letters but some letters are Vowels and others Consonants :001_huh:). We're not back on track yet, but she's looking forward to doing reading work @ "school" again and that's really all that matters.

I broke these out by (read a loud / read alone) - coverage years to link into history ... I've read them and liked them, and wrote down my thoughts on them but I have never used them with a child. My girls are still quite young, but I'm using this time to do "playschool" and review book and curricula choices for when we officially start First Grade :) I think that a lot of the ones that I list for k/pre-k & 1st would be useful as read-a-louds for an older child as well. My eldest just likes to hear me read, content doesn't matter ;) so we do things that I find interesting a lot. I hope that you find them useful & please note, I'm nowhere near done, so... the lists are really incomplete and there might be a lot of better ones out there than just these that I've found. I'll have to bookmark this thread to get back to the other ones mentioned :D!! Pre-First & 3rd Grade Mathematics A Place for Zero: A Math Adventure http://www.amazon.com/Place-Zero-Math-Adventure/dp/1570911967/ref=pd_sim_b_4 An awesome book! The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics by Norman Juster http://www.amazon.com/Dot-Line-Romance-Lower-Mathematics/dp/1587170663/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3 This can be translated downward for younger children, it ought to be useful for mathematical discussions all the way through calculus though. Full House: An Invitation to Fractions - Dayle Ann Dodds http://www.amazon.com/Full-House-Dayle-Ann-Dodds/dp/0763641308/ref=pd_sim_b_3 Best for preschool/K One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J Pinczes http://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Hungry-Ants-Elinor-Pinczes/dp/0395971233/ref=pd_sim_b_3 A Remainder of One by Elinor J Pinczes http://www.amazon.com/Remainder-One-Elinor-J-Pinczes/dp/0618250778/ref=pd_sim_b_1 Pastry School in Paris: An Adventure in Capacity - Cindy Neuschwander http://www.amazon.com/Pastry-School-Paris-Adventure-Capacity/dp/0805083146/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_9 Part of the Mummy Math Series (see grade 1) Minnie's Diner: A Multiplying Menu - Dayle Ann Dodds http://www.amazon.com/Minnies-Diner-Dayle-Ann-Dodds/dp/0763633135/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2 I don't really care for the fact that size is equated to intelligence (ie the smallest child is the smartest), but otherwise the story is solid for the preschool/k crowd. The Great Divide: A Mathematical Marathon - Dayle Ann Dodds http://www.amazon.com/Great-Divide-Mathematical-Marathon/dp/0763615927/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b A good read aloud, in terms of being able to participate in the story, this is probably a book for at least the K level, probably ideal for 3rd grade. How Much Is a Million? 20th Anniversary Edition http://www.amazon.com/Much-Million-Anniversary-Reading-Rainbow/dp/0688099335/ref=pd_sim_b_6 A good read aloud, in terms of being able to participate in the story, this is probably a book for at least the K level, although it really depends on how well the girls are doing on conceptualizing large numbers and how they are made. Also: Millions to Measure (weight & measurement concepts); If You Made a Million (money concepts) Rabbits Rabbits Everywhere: A Fibonacci Tale http://www.amazon.com/Rabbits-Everywhere-Fibonacci-Tale/dp/1570918961/ref=pd_sim_b_28 Fabulous! Definitely for 3rd grade though due to the addition elements, although it could probably be read and enjoyed in preschool/k, it's hard to say for sure whether there being a 'pattern' would register even if they couldn't understand what the pattern is. This is the same author of the beanstalk book, it's a shame that one seemed so unbearably boring. Multiplying Menace: The Revenge Of Rumpelstiltskin (A Math Adventure) http://www.amazon.com/Multiplying-Menace-Revenge-Rumpelstiltskin-Adventure/dp/1570918902/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b Alice in Pastaland - Alexandra Wright http://www.amazon.com/Alice-Pastaland-Adventure-Alexandra-Wright/dp/1570911517/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271506256&sr=1-1 Need to order to read and judge appropriateness Once upon a Dime - Nancy Kelly Allen http://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Dime-Math-Adventure/dp/1570911614/ref=pd_sim_b_2 A fun book, more for storytime than the classroom Equal Shmequal (Math Adventures) - Virginia Kroll http://www.amazon.com/Equal-Shmequal-Adventures-Virginia-Kroll/dp/1570918929/ref=pd_sim_b_1 Preschool/K only. 1st & 5th Grade Mathmatics (to AD500) This book could also be done in 4th grade for Modern Coverage depending on where Kit and Mab are in Math Concepts Mummy Math: An Adventure in Geometry by Cindy Neuschwander http://www.amazon.com/Mummy-Math-Adventure-Cindy-Neuschwander/dp/0312561172/ref=pd_sim_b_86 2nd & 6th Grade Mathematics (to AD1500) Patterns in Peru: An Adventure in Patterning by Cindy Neuschwander http://www.amazon.com/Patterns-Peru-Patterning-Cindy-Neuschwander/dp/B002PJ4IDO/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_10 Part of the Mummy math Series Above These books could also be picked up for Renaissance coverage (legend of Arthur) depending on where Kit & Mab are in Math Concepts Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter (Math Adventures) by Cindy Neuschwander http://www.amazon.com/Cumference-Isle-Immeter-Math-Adventures/dp/1570916810/ref=pd_sim_b_91 Also available in this series: Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi; Sir Cumference and the First Round Table; Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland; Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens; Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone; The Man Who Counted: A Collection of Mathematical Adventures http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Counted-Collection-Mathematical/dp/0393309347/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c A wonderful book with engaging short stories, each dealing with a separate mathematical concept. Set in ancient Arabia & so perfect for the rise of Islam.

Ok, so you've got the beginnings of a fabulous way to find out more about your Great-grandma here. All of the emigration & transportation records from the turn of the century are available -- almost all of them are even online. The key is going to be finding a correlation between an unwed (hopefully ;)) Kathryn/Catherine (& spelling vars) and a Mr & Mrs [Great-grandfather's name] Jones aboard a vessel together some time before 1913 (I'm assuming that they didn't have the baby immediately, but jic you might want to check 1914 too). I'm assuming that the port was NYC, which will make it even easier --- http://www.ellisisland.org/ is your new best friend :D -- arrivals (even on visits) 1892-1924. Nevermind bothering with anything else for now. Once you have your "likelies" you can then narrow down your list by trying to trying to track it down along the message boards etc But here's the thing, you have her name: Kathryn, birth year 1895, and you have a cross search via Jones & his full name and birth year to confirm that they would have been on the same boat together (actually, you should probably search for him first :). Just make sure that you're searching on +/- a couple of years on both of their ages. For whatever reason people always lie about their age ;) Good Luck!!

I would qualify talking as intentional use of language to communicate an idea (so no mama, dada, cat etc). So, with that in mind - My DD1 was speaking in 2-3 word sentences by 1 yr and full sentences (5-6 word) with descriptive adjectives by 18mos. I'm qualifying it because she was parroting words (sounds to her) back to me starting from when she was about 3 mos old. I nearly fell off of the bed the first time that she said light -- until I realized that it wasn't truly her "first word" but merely a repetition of an oft heard sound grouping. So our transition over to 'real' language was really gradual since she wasn't a babbler, but a repeater, I'd like to say that it was sometime between 6-9 mos?

Have you tried rootsweb.com? It's free. Also, some of the censuses have been transcribed and are available online for free from various genealogical societies. I understand that you're trying not to be specific, but it's hard to help without knowing the timeframe involved. Ancestry, which someone mentioned, is the fastest route unless you're looking for information on people who might still be living. But it's expensive if you can't find it in your initial searches with a trial acct (or if you get distracted and start looking up additional family members ;)) You can search by the child's name and age which is what makes if so valuable for census and local searches. If your grandmother was born before 1930 it's a very valuable tool. If not, then you'll have to start looking at other options (I haven't been keeping up with it, but 1940 census should come out relatively soon...) Also you can search off of SS#s if they had them (if you know what they were -- you might even be able to find their ss number if the location of their death didn't have TOO many Jones') If your grandmother remembers what her father's profession was or what church she attended as a child you'll find clues through that as well. Churches keep confirmation/baptism records. Also, if they were active in their local community (even if it was just participating in local events) they might pop in the newspapers as well for local activities, the church or the husband's job/retirement. Obituaries are the best though for sibling records. In fact, you can search by your grandfather's last name (here's hoping it's unusual) listed as a surviving daughter/family member within obituaries for the last name that you're looking for. You can do country-wide searches and local searches. The issue is that MANY newspapers aren't electronically archived. Ancestry has a few though... so... maybe it'll work out. But seriously before ancestry I really would try rootsweb first and all of the local resources that they offer and... I would look through that huge pile of material that she gave you. As you said, the answer may already be there waiting for you to find it! DUH!! Also look in the family bible :D -- people always forget that but genealogical info is invariably in there!!! Oh, and posting for help on the boards are free! So post away :) I found some distant relatives that way. PS - be careful with Family Search. I've found that their records have a high rate of transcription errors and the family groups have been just plain wrong in several cases (my family has a very rich written family history lovingly transcribed from mother to daughter for the past 5 generations and I found several cases where their records were simply wrong -- the same is true of Ancestry's world tree because they accept everyones records regardless of provenance.) Since I'm not a member of the church they refused to correct the transcription errors or to fix the family groups indicating to me that the assumptions that were made regarding their records would be the ones that they would be moving forward with. Something similar happened with Ancestry when I tried to point out that their service had transcribed a couple of names incorrectly - they require a certain number of people to point out the error before it becomes an "alternate name" or date :/. LOL in one instance it had an 80yo married to a 30 yo ;) so... just keep an open mind when you're interpreting your results and double check everything (and the origionals of documents that might be "maybes" before adding it to your tree!! :-)

My milk letdown was very quick. I'd get them to take 5-8mins and then bang we were done. Both girls grew completely normally (I never supplemented with formula) breastfeeding every 3 hours. 20 minutes is a guide for the average baby. If your baby is sucking vigorously for the first 2-3 minutes (ie swallowing well every second or two) and then sucking intermittently after that your milk may just come out quickly like mine. Keep an eye on warning signs, fussing after an hour or two (trying to nuzzle towards your breasts), lack of wet diapers (6-8/day is normal I believe -maybe more from 2-4 weeks, I felt like I was changing 20 diapers a day some days ;)) and most critical of all - lethargy. Baby should seem more alert as each day passes, if you're not seeing slight increases in awake time on a week-to-week basis it would be worth calling your Doctor and scheduling a weight check before your next scheduled appt (most offices will not charge for this quick check by a nurse, but confirm prior to the appt).

I actually do both with my girls (3.5 & ~2). I limit shows that contain inappropriate behaviour (rudeness, not sharing, unhealthy competitiveness) and I also discuss poor behaviour whenever I see it regardless of the flow of the show. Television is interactive when it's on, one of us is always talking over the television set or getting up to dance and move around with the music on the show. I also try balance letting the girls watch G-rated material that contain adult themes (eg Mulan, Aristocats or Sword & the Stone) or which are frankly pointless, mind-numbing garbage (Wonderpets) with my personal viewing preferences (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Word World, SuperWhy) because I still feel that they should have some (limited) exposure to popular / iconic material from a cultural literacy standpoint. In the end, I really feel quite awful for allowing them to have any television at all, especially with the younger one since the TV was never even on for the oldest until the younger was born. So perhaps my limitations are a way for me to compensate for that as well -- crazy is a good place to be ;) why fight it??

... *delurks* ... I'm so happy that you've asked about secular blogs!! I can't wait to check out the ones listed here later. I've been wondering about it all myself, but since my children are soooo young I didn't feel right commenting here. My daughters are ~3.5 and ~2, I literally (this week) started doing formal preschool work with them, I'm not sure what in particular you're looking for in a blog :) but I try to list everything that we do "in class" as well as my own concerns or comments, so maybe mine will be useful: http://lovelearnplay.wordpress.com/ It's mostly just a link for my husband to see what we do, and for myself down the road to see that we are accomplishing something on those days where it will seem ... well, hard, foolish, impossible, pointless, you name it ;)