Updates
Sometimes it’s been so long between posts that it’s awkward to just dive back into posting. So, here’s a random update post to get everyone up to speed:
Thomas started Pre-K three weeks ago. He’s at the same preschool he went to last year, but up from two mornings a week to three mornings a week this year. So many people in our area are putting their 4 year olds in 4 or 5 day a week Pre-K, and I just…can’t. I would send him only two mornings a week if that were an option. I’m not the least bit worried that my kid is missing out on something academic in Pre-K, but I am worried that my time with this boy is dwindling. Next year is Kindergarten – B and I are constantly debating the merits of redshirting our June babies for Kindergarten (a decision we’ll make for each child individually and based on the whole child), but even if Thomas goes to our local elementary school for kindergarten at 6 instead of 5, he’ll be in Kindergarten at his preschool next year. Which means I have 11 months left to cram in as much library, zoo, and play time as I possibly can before he’s in school 5 days a week. It goes too fast. Tooo fast.
On that note, Nell is not in preschool. So many people in our area are putting their two year olds in preschool and I just…can’t. Noticing a theme here? Ha. I joke that Nell needs as much home influence as she can get before we send her out into the big wide world (true), but really I just like having my kids here with me (
I will be the first to say I don’t know if I would look at this differently if we hadn’t been through what we’d been through with daycare when Thomas was an infant. But I have deep trust issues, now. Deep. And I don’t want my kids out of my eyesight until they can speak to me in full, clear sentences with details about everything that goes on wherever they are). However, because she is in her big brother’s shadow for so many things, I signed her up for a mom-tot gymnastics class at our local rec center. I don’t do generally do classes with toddlers because they’re…toddlers. Thomas took private swim lessons this summer and Nell signed herself up. Truly, Tom’s lesson was over, and Nell went over to the teacher and said, “I ready for my yesson, Miss Megan. I practicing my foats.” So she signed herself up basically, but normally, I wouldn’t put my 2 year old in swim lessons – she’ll learn to swim, she doesn’t have to learn at 2. However, gymanstics was something I thought Nell would enjoy, it was cheap, gave us something to do together but also something to do that’s just hers, and it only lasts for a month. And this girl? Thinks she invented gymnastics. Or “Mastics”, as she calls it. Day one, Nell was strutting her stuff. And the little boys in her class were following her around and Nell? Was. Not. Having. It. She wanted them out of her space. “I no want you follow me,” she would say to them. Oh that girl of mine. We talk to her a lot about having a kind and inclusive heart. But also? Totally okay with her doing her own thing, and not wanting people in her space. Keep it up Nell. Especially when you’re 16. Mmkay?
Peter is 6 months old. Those 6 months flew by, but dragged on all the same. A colicky baby until well after 3 months, combined with severe reflux, weight gain issues, and general avoidance of sleep. It hasn’t been the easiest 6 months of my life. But he’s turning a corner. He’s sitting up, which I forgot until he started what a game changer sitting is. He’s seeing a chiropractor for his reflux, and showing improvement (he’s also just getting older). He’s eating solid foods – that kid loves himself some solids. He screams if you are not constantly providing him with food (we’ve always done a hybrid purees/solids thing for food with our babies…we introduce solids between 4-5 months due to both B’s and my allergies and skin issues and research that indicates earlier introduction might be better, so soft foods and purees at that point, but now that Peter’s 6 months, he’s doing well with regular food – potato wedges, avocado slices, chicken, etc). He’s just now at the point where he can pick something up off his tray and get it to his mouth himself, and when he’s more consistent with that, I think this baby is going to be hilarious to watch eat.
B started a new job on Monday. The new job is such a great opportunity for him – gets him using some of the business skills he gleaned in his Master’s program and just gives him a new group of people to work with daily. Sometimes, you just need a change. But, with this new job comes a less cushy schedule than before (he used to get home by 3:30 every day) and a decent amount of travel. So, we’re figuring it out. We know it will all work out, but it’s definitely an adjustment. An adjustment we always knew would come someday, but an adjustment nonetheless.
And finally, at the end of August,
Shannon of Bottle Pop Party (the artist formerly known as
Shannanigans) came to visit me. We had a blast drinking lots of wine, touring the state of Colorado and talking about how we were really good (and by good I only mean regular) bloggers when we had 8-5 desk jobs. Ha. It was a great week with my friend and my kids adored her. Next time we’re doing family vacays though, because Thomas and Nell really want to see “Gauge” again.
