Cool Mom

I volunteered in Isla's preschool classroom for the first time today. It was quite the morning and I came to a number of conclusions in approximately 3.46 seconds: 

1) I could never be a preschool teacher.

2) In particular, I could never be a substitute preschool teacher.

3) I am thankful that other people are called to teach.

4) Recess is in fact a crucial part of school, even when "school" is only a total of 3 hours in length.

5) Sometimes you just gotta drop a couple things off the agenda and hone in on one.

6) Kids are capable of quite a number of responsibilities, some kids that is.

7) Thankfully my child seems to be quite well behaved (I'll be honest, I was a bit nervous!)

Isla's teacher was sick so they had a substitute which meant the day was not a true representation of the usual "norm" (thankfully because I think I left with a blood pressure of 160/110!!) It was more or less like the blind leading the blind but everyone survived (phew!) and I needed a nice long run alone afterward to unwind. 

All that being said though, I was pondering what an incredible opportunity it was to be in Isla's classroom. Isla was thrilled to have me and looked forward to it with great anticipation all last week. This morning she told me ever so sweetly, "I'm going to sit at whatever table you are helping at!" Even now as I sit here nursing Jack, I hear Isla in the next room proudly telling the party gathered that I volunteered in her class today. I never would have guessed how meaningful this would be to her!

Last night as I was nervously (yes nervously-I was homeschooled! I don't know how school works!) thinking about helping out, it hit me like a load of bricks that it won't be long before she won't want to hug me in front of her friends. Or when introducing me to them will be the last thought on her mind. Or when she will be too embarrassed to be seen rolling into school in our sweet ride (a mini van). Those days are far too near I'm sure! 'Twas a good reminder today to savor these very limited years when, maybe for the first time in my life, I'm actually cool!

2 Month Photo Shoot

 This handsome dude turned 2 months on Friday! How that happened is a mystery to me. Fearing that his whole life will be documented in cell phone pictures alone, I grabbed the real camera and captured a few shots of his personality. Oh I could just eat him.

Jack: 2 Months - ish

Jack at 1 month

You long time readers will remember that with my firstborn, I did weekly posts about her development for her entire first year. WEEKLY posts! And then with my second born, I settled on monthly posts (all these with the intent of someday making them into a baby book). Now here we are with my sweet little Jack and, as of late, he's lucky to get an honorable mention here, let alone an entire post totally in his honor. And if that isn't enough, I must confess he doesn't even have a Christmas stocking this year (gasp I know). Oops, I wasn't actually planning to tell any of you that. My plan was to avoid posting any pictures of our hearth so no one could hold it against me later but here I am, blabbing to everyone and their mother. My mantra, thanks to my wise friend Amy has become grace upon grace upon grace upon grace. I can only do so much and I'm trying really hard to accept that (with grace, ha!)

But let me tell you a few things about my son while I have a moment:

-he started cooing at 3 1/2 weeks and it's the best (11/7)

-he loves the Ergo and it's a guaranteed way to get him to sleep, at least during the day

-started tracking objects at 4 weeks (11/9)

-makes this "eh eh eh" grunting sound whenever he first touches the bath water but then loves it once submerged

-he'll kill me one day for posting this video but I couldn't help myself - it's classic!

-weighed 11 pounds, 9 ounces at his 1 month appointment (95%ile!)

-started wearing size 3 mo clothes at 1 mo of age

-thinks night time is the right time

-stays awake from ~6PM to 11PM, sometimes midnight or later every night 

-spits up a lot

-hiccups after almost every feeding

-taking bottles like a pro

-looks mighty fine in plaid

-preferring to turn his head to the right (and getting a flat spot on the back of his head)

-have been doing positioning, exercises and extra holding to work on this

-this is how we roll most of the time:

-started grinning at 5 weeks, maybe even a smidge earlier

-noticed toys for the first time at 6 weeks (11/25)

-getting better at tummy time 

-slept for his first 6 hour stretch just shy of 7 weeks (AMAZING!)

-but mostly prefers the every three hour eating routine

-is a pretty chill, laid back baby, particularly if held

-I may be biased but I think he's the cutest!

-likes to be swaddled

-getting used to cold temps at an early age

Even though things are bumpy right now, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this little man!

Emma: 27 Months

-always a goof

-says the most adorable things:

"Wait me!"
"Nice and tozy" (cozy)
"So pretty" (after you fix her hair)
"Tookie" (cookie)
 "I'm cited!" (excited!)

"Tummy full" or "I'm hungy" (hungy) 
"Aaaaaaaaafter I wake up" (see uncle video below)

 -discovered her pockets but calls them her "pockies"

-rides her strider bike like the wind, sort of

-entering the world of dress-up and loving it
-someone taught her the word "princess" and I think she thinks she is one

-favorite book: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

-answers "pizza!" anytime you ask her what she wants to eat, regardless of the hour

-finger often in her mouth (getting teeth vs starting a bad habit?)

-identifies when she has to go #2, sometimes finishes the deal in the potty

-sporting pigtails!

-is so totally enamored by her uncles 

-mostly easy going and can be convinced to do most anything and responds with a sweet "ok"
-would prefer to be the one walking but will ride in the stroller if we run

-sleeps with Piggy, Mickey, Minnie and now Kitty
-parties in her sleep (found her dead asleep 2 feet deep under the bed and Grandpa and Grandma's)

-taking 1 1/2 - 2 hour naps - hallelujah!

-still in a crib but has slept in a big girl bed on a few occasions

-loves bubble baths which is convenient since the Dr ordered them daily this month
-can't get enough of her cousins
-or her sister - aren't they just the sweetest?

Isla: 51 Months

-beautiful and busy

 -would tell you the 2 things she dislikes most are: cleaning her room and having her hair combed

-but had her first hair cut (at home a la mom)

-and loved every second of it and wanted to do it again and again 

-loves dressing up

-was a ballerina or princess for Halloween (she was undecided)

-preschool is almost always what she declares the best part of her day

-still wearing short sleeves, sock-less shoes and no coat whenever possible

-had a good report at our first parent teacher conference:

-she is SUPER social, has a spunky personality and is enthusiastic about everything

-when she has a thought, she says it

-ahead in her counting

-loves her friends at school, working on remembering and calling them by names

-desires constant interaction

-is go go go all day until she finally crashes around 7:30 PM

-sleeps til 6:30 AM at the very latest

-I'm convinced she's sleep deprived

-asks for special mommy and daddy time

-favorite line after you tell her you love her: "I love you as much as you do." Say what?

-brings Ducky on adventures whenever possible

-perfecting her driving in reverse skills

-loves to take others for spins in the jeep (as long as she gets to drive!)

-though she never naps, seems to need quiet/alone time keep a positive attitude

-desires rules and order in life but not with her physical belongings

-loves to goof off and teach her sister new games (like sprawling on the pavement)

-crafting all the time

-no, I don't think you understand

-ALL THE TIME!!!

-copied the bird on the play dough box (above) all by herself

-loves her new bin of craft supplies (it has never been this organized since...)

-finally created a way to display her masterpieces

 -this is maybe 1/1000th of the art in her room right now

-did I mention she is busy?