Sunday, September 25, 2011
Our Norm
D had been in school for four weeks already and we have a pretty good routine going. He is doing so good. I get compliments about him daily from the teachers. E is enjoying school as well, and is so well behaved and helpful on the days that she doesn't go. B has a great nap schedule and although she loves my attention, will sit and play for short periods at a time letting me do a few things here and there. The husband has been working a ton and although I know that it will only get worse with this upcoming deployment, we try to enjoy our time together as much as possible. He has been so amazing with the kids lately, too. This week he is out of town training, and as much as it sucks, it is practice for what life will be like for us, yet again, sooner than I would like to think about. I can honestly say that when I got married I never imagined I would be be raising three children alone most of the time, while taking care of a house, two dogs, and also worrying about my husbands safety and life while he is over 8000 miles away. It's not the life I wanted or chose, but more like the hand we were dealt with all that has led up to this point. It is the life we know; the life my kids know. And it never gets easier. I love my husband. And sometimes I even love the Army. But our normal isn't exactly "normal". We can go months without seeing each other, weeks without talking, and yet we still love each other and our family together. We live day to day, going with the flow and making the best out of whatever the Army throws at us. And as the kids get older and become even more aware of what this life means, the harder it gets. Watching my kids cry because daddy isn't coming home that night, or hearing them tell their friends how much they miss him. It's a struggle. But it's our norm.
I feel like a rarity
Last week we went to a meeting at D's school. First we all met in the gym so the directors could tell us what the goal for the students is this year and what they expect from the parents. The we all went to our respective grade level rooms for a small presentation from the teachers. As I'm listening to one of the teachers tell the parents what they can do to help their children at home, I almost wonder what I am even doing there. Everything they suggested are things that I have been doing with my kids for years. Do people just not think to do these things?? Or do parents just not care?? Read to you children everyday. Check. Explain as you do them. Check. Use a broad vocabulary. Check. Incorporate learning into everyday tasks. Check. I mean it's not that hard. I'm still in shock that they had to be told to do these things.
Mover and Shaker
Well, maybe just mover right now. B has been rolling over for over two month now, but she was kind of lazy about it, only doing it when she got mad. As of this weekend she is my little mover. I had her on her playmat this morning and she would roll onto her tummy, rotate herself a little, roll back onto her back and scoot up some and just kept doing it. I had to watch to make sure she didn't roll into any furniture. It's super cute, but I cannot believe she is so big already. Guess it's time to get down on my hands and knees and make sure there is nothing in the path. Before I know it she will be crawling and I will NEVER have a minute to sit down and relax. And so it begins...
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Chunky monkey
It's no secret that my kids are chubby babies and B is no exception. Yesterday she had her 4 month check up, albeit over a week late. She had a perfect bill of health and weighed in at 16#1.6. She is currently 24.3 inches. She has grown so much since birth!
Usually during these check ups they ask you to answer a questionnaire full of tons of developmental questions based on age. I loathe this part. It takes me longer to answer all the questions that the entire appointment itself. Yesterday was worse. The doctor came in immediately after vitals, so I had no time to do the form. Thankfully I ended up not having to do it. Dr. K said that she was not concerned about B at all and not to worry about do it. It's such a great feeling to know that my kids are right where they should be developmentally and often beyond their age. Although, i'm sure that means trouble as they get older.
When I went to pick up D, I got compliments about him as well. Mrs. H told me that he is doing so good and that he is very smart. She mentioned that during the day, she and Mrs. F had been talking about something and D commented about it. They were both stunned and could not believe that he had said that. I'm so proud of him. He has adapted to going to school like a pro. The only problem I'm having with him right now is trying to teach him that just because he knows the information does not mean that he can tell E the answers on her homework. That is not something that I want her to think she can rely on as she gets older. My solution for now is just going to be to have them do homework at different times.
Speaking of E, I don't think I wrote about her first day. She went on Tuesday and seemed to have a great time. I like that she is going but it kind of makes Tuesdays crazy for me, with all the coming and going all day. But at least she will get used to going to school. She brought home several pages that she had done in class and 6 pages worth of homework. Enough for the entire week. She is doing well with all of them and doesn't need really any instruction to know what to do.
I'm most excited about the reading incentive that Mrs. M has for this program. Each week she sends home a book list, which is just a pages numbered from 1-20. She encourages parents to read and fill out the list. If you turn in a full list each week, you get a book to keep. E got two on her first day: one because it was her first day, and a second because she has a full list. I am going to make sure she has a full list every week!! It's a great way to encourage reading and get some new books. Also, the student who has read the most books (or rather whose parents have read the most books to them) at the end of the school year gets a big prize.
All in all, the kids are doing great both at home and at school. And that makes for one happy, but exhausted, mommy!
Usually during these check ups they ask you to answer a questionnaire full of tons of developmental questions based on age. I loathe this part. It takes me longer to answer all the questions that the entire appointment itself. Yesterday was worse. The doctor came in immediately after vitals, so I had no time to do the form. Thankfully I ended up not having to do it. Dr. K said that she was not concerned about B at all and not to worry about do it. It's such a great feeling to know that my kids are right where they should be developmentally and often beyond their age. Although, i'm sure that means trouble as they get older.
When I went to pick up D, I got compliments about him as well. Mrs. H told me that he is doing so good and that he is very smart. She mentioned that during the day, she and Mrs. F had been talking about something and D commented about it. They were both stunned and could not believe that he had said that. I'm so proud of him. He has adapted to going to school like a pro. The only problem I'm having with him right now is trying to teach him that just because he knows the information does not mean that he can tell E the answers on her homework. That is not something that I want her to think she can rely on as she gets older. My solution for now is just going to be to have them do homework at different times.
Speaking of E, I don't think I wrote about her first day. She went on Tuesday and seemed to have a great time. I like that she is going but it kind of makes Tuesdays crazy for me, with all the coming and going all day. But at least she will get used to going to school. She brought home several pages that she had done in class and 6 pages worth of homework. Enough for the entire week. She is doing well with all of them and doesn't need really any instruction to know what to do.
I'm most excited about the reading incentive that Mrs. M has for this program. Each week she sends home a book list, which is just a pages numbered from 1-20. She encourages parents to read and fill out the list. If you turn in a full list each week, you get a book to keep. E got two on her first day: one because it was her first day, and a second because she has a full list. I am going to make sure she has a full list every week!! It's a great way to encourage reading and get some new books. Also, the student who has read the most books (or rather whose parents have read the most books to them) at the end of the school year gets a big prize.
All in all, the kids are doing great both at home and at school. And that makes for one happy, but exhausted, mommy!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Just when things were going smoothly...
I don't know about you, but it seems like every time I think or say something the Universe makes me a liar. Just the way of the world I guess.
On my way home from dropping D this morning (who is still insisting to walk by himself to class) I think to myself that we seem to be getting the hang of things and establishing a pretty good routine. Or as good a routine as you can being that my husband's schedule is crazy. But the day went fine, I didn't get anything accomplished but that was fine. So, time to pick D up. The girls and I head out, find a good parking spot and walk over to room #3. Chatted it up a bit with another mom while waiting. But then I noticed that other kids were being released from class. Usually by this point D's teachers would have opened the door and invited us in to listen to the announcements. That hadn't happened. A faint memory of Mrs. F telling me that if they aren't in their room that they would be held in the room with all the car riders until I got there. Off we went, toddlers and baby in tow, down the way to the "car rider room". After waiting what seemed like forever, the lady asked who I was there to pick up. I told her and was assured he was coming. Slowly but surely the amount of parents waiting there started to dwindle and yet I was still waiting. Finally, I was asked again, with shock that my child had not come yet, and D was summoned again. Finally, there he was. But what I saw next broke my heart. Tears, a red face, that weird thing you do with your mouth when you are trying desperately not to cry. Just as I had been waiting impatiently for D to come to me, he had been waiting for me to come to get him. And I wasn't there. Turns out sometime after me and my new found mother friend walked down the way to find our not-so-little-anymore boys, Mrs. F had opened her door. And to D's surprise I was not there waiting. I, of course, had no idea that it had been opened. But the second I saw his face I felt so guilty. I had to explain away the tears with reassurances that I would never leave or forget him and tell him what had happened, but I still felt so bad. In the grand scheme of things, it really isn't a huge deal, and it's probably better that it happened now, so he would know what to expect in the future, but it still sucks. I'm sure my mental declaration of how great things were going threw a wrench into my karma today, but at least that's all that came out of it.
In other news...E had orientation today. It was more for me, of course, but nonetheless it is taken care of and she is all set for her first day on Tuesday.
Oh and B is getting a second tooth. :)
On my way home from dropping D this morning (who is still insisting to walk by himself to class) I think to myself that we seem to be getting the hang of things and establishing a pretty good routine. Or as good a routine as you can being that my husband's schedule is crazy. But the day went fine, I didn't get anything accomplished but that was fine. So, time to pick D up. The girls and I head out, find a good parking spot and walk over to room #3. Chatted it up a bit with another mom while waiting. But then I noticed that other kids were being released from class. Usually by this point D's teachers would have opened the door and invited us in to listen to the announcements. That hadn't happened. A faint memory of Mrs. F telling me that if they aren't in their room that they would be held in the room with all the car riders until I got there. Off we went, toddlers and baby in tow, down the way to the "car rider room". After waiting what seemed like forever, the lady asked who I was there to pick up. I told her and was assured he was coming. Slowly but surely the amount of parents waiting there started to dwindle and yet I was still waiting. Finally, I was asked again, with shock that my child had not come yet, and D was summoned again. Finally, there he was. But what I saw next broke my heart. Tears, a red face, that weird thing you do with your mouth when you are trying desperately not to cry. Just as I had been waiting impatiently for D to come to me, he had been waiting for me to come to get him. And I wasn't there. Turns out sometime after me and my new found mother friend walked down the way to find our not-so-little-anymore boys, Mrs. F had opened her door. And to D's surprise I was not there waiting. I, of course, had no idea that it had been opened. But the second I saw his face I felt so guilty. I had to explain away the tears with reassurances that I would never leave or forget him and tell him what had happened, but I still felt so bad. In the grand scheme of things, it really isn't a huge deal, and it's probably better that it happened now, so he would know what to expect in the future, but it still sucks. I'm sure my mental declaration of how great things were going threw a wrench into my karma today, but at least that's all that came out of it.
In other news...E had orientation today. It was more for me, of course, but nonetheless it is taken care of and she is all set for her first day on Tuesday.
Oh and B is getting a second tooth. :)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Breastfeeding
I'm still trying to decide if I need to put a disclaimer or something on this post. It tends to be a touchy subject.
A few days ago, I was on a parenting forum and someone posted a link to an anti-breastfeeding blog. (And no, I will not be posting the link, because quite frankly, I do not want to spread the disgusting message that it spreads.) It peaked my interest so I went to read it. What I initial thought was a joke and kind of laughed off at first soon turned to utter frustration and, I'll admit, rage. It makes claims that breastfeeding is somehow incestuous and abusive, among other things. Now, this blog (and campaign) supposedly was created basically to piss people off and get media attention, which it did. But the sad part about it is that there are a lot of people that believe some of the claims it makes. I, of course, believe that it is a woman's choice whether she chooses to breastfeed her child or not, and I am very aware that some people, no matter how much they want to, just cannot. That is all irrelevant to this post. What I am annoyed about it that so many mothers especially the young mothers do not take the time or initiative to educate themselves and make an informed decision. It is so frustrating to see the lack of support for the woman that choose to. I, myself, have gotten many stares, and rude looks while nursing, but I guess I am too stubborn to let it bother me. I'm not even sure why I chose this path. I do not remember seeing anyone nurse their child while I was growing up, nor do I remember ever being told about it. I just knew that I wanted to do whatever it was that was best for my child and "breast is best" even the formula companies agree with that. I am also very surprised that my parents generation tends to be so pro-formula. I just do not understand how something that my body makes specifically to cater to the needs to the infant that it grew, could some how be inferior to a man-made substance that has to be fortified with vitamins and that although there are many varieties, many babies cannot tolerate most of them. I have heard from many girls that wanted to breastfeed their child but didn't because they had no support from anyone; not her parents, grandparents, or spouse. I just hope that generations to come will see the value in it, and at least make informed decisions. My children will be very informed on it and my hope it that they girls will both grow up to breastfeed and that D will encourage his future wife to do so. They will know that formula is an option if necessary, but they will know the benefits of breastfeeding both for the mom and the baby. OK rant over! :)
A few days ago, I was on a parenting forum and someone posted a link to an anti-breastfeeding blog. (And no, I will not be posting the link, because quite frankly, I do not want to spread the disgusting message that it spreads.) It peaked my interest so I went to read it. What I initial thought was a joke and kind of laughed off at first soon turned to utter frustration and, I'll admit, rage. It makes claims that breastfeeding is somehow incestuous and abusive, among other things. Now, this blog (and campaign) supposedly was created basically to piss people off and get media attention, which it did. But the sad part about it is that there are a lot of people that believe some of the claims it makes. I, of course, believe that it is a woman's choice whether she chooses to breastfeed her child or not, and I am very aware that some people, no matter how much they want to, just cannot. That is all irrelevant to this post. What I am annoyed about it that so many mothers especially the young mothers do not take the time or initiative to educate themselves and make an informed decision. It is so frustrating to see the lack of support for the woman that choose to. I, myself, have gotten many stares, and rude looks while nursing, but I guess I am too stubborn to let it bother me. I'm not even sure why I chose this path. I do not remember seeing anyone nurse their child while I was growing up, nor do I remember ever being told about it. I just knew that I wanted to do whatever it was that was best for my child and "breast is best" even the formula companies agree with that. I am also very surprised that my parents generation tends to be so pro-formula. I just do not understand how something that my body makes specifically to cater to the needs to the infant that it grew, could some how be inferior to a man-made substance that has to be fortified with vitamins and that although there are many varieties, many babies cannot tolerate most of them. I have heard from many girls that wanted to breastfeed their child but didn't because they had no support from anyone; not her parents, grandparents, or spouse. I just hope that generations to come will see the value in it, and at least make informed decisions. My children will be very informed on it and my hope it that they girls will both grow up to breastfeed and that D will encourage his future wife to do so. They will know that formula is an option if necessary, but they will know the benefits of breastfeeding both for the mom and the baby. OK rant over! :)
Can't you just stay little a little while longer...
I thought I was only going to be sad about only one kid today, but nope. They all decided to bombard me! First, little Ms. B is 4 months old today!! It has gone by so fast. And I am amazed at how much she has changed. She can sit up for several seconds without falling over. She smiles and laughs and rolls over. She is starting to make a lot of different sounds. (I woke up at 5:30 this morning, to her talking to herself. She would squeal and then make a few other sounds, like in the serenity of the early morning she could hear herself and distinguish what action made each sound. The fundamentals of language at it very core. I finally picked her up to nurse her after about 10 minutes of this.) When she gets upset I even hear the first "ma" sounds coming out. Which is great for me, because I know it won't be much longer until she will use that sound to recognize me. But, oh, it has come so soon. She LOVES her exersaucer. It's the one thing that she doesn't mind being in for a little while. Probably because she gets to practice standing and she isn't laying down. I think she is also ready for solids. She gets upset, when she sees me eating and watches every bite I take. Talk about guilt-trip. So I have given her some brown rice cereal and pears, also, but decided that I really do want her to hold out a bit longer, so that was just a sampling. I will just have to make sure to never eat unless she has just nursed. Her little tooth is still coming in. Although, I think she just realized it yesterday. Several times I caught her licking it, like some foreign object that she just couldn't figure out. I would've guess she would have realize it was there after biting herself several times, but I guess not. I know that it will feel like tomorrow when she starts crawling, and talking, and walking. Just have to make the most of out every minute.
Not only does B want to grow up fast, but D thinks he is already grown. Today is only day 3 of school, but he did not want to me walk him to his classroom. He insisted that he "knows where it is" and that if I really wanted to then I could walk him in tomorrow. So we pull up to the drop off spot and I pulled up a little bit too far. I wanted to be able to watch him actually walk into the classroom. The supervisor lady walks over and opens the door for him, which meant that I didn't even need to get out of the car. I wanted her to understand that I just needed to see him go into the classroom, and told her that it was his first day going alone. She reassured me with a wink and a "I'll make sure he gets there" and helped him down. I was so frantic inside. I wanted to walk around a give a huge hug and watch him walk down the stretch that leads to room 3, but I couldn't. So, I called out to him that I would miss him and wished him a "good day" and sulked as I drove off. Honestly, the entire drive home, the whole 2 minutes that it takes, I wanted to turn around. I wanted to go and just peek into him classroom to make sure he made it in safely, but I knew I couldn't. I have to trust that he is big enough to do it on his own. Even now, after an hour, I am anticipating the end of the school day, so I can go and pick him up and make sure that he made it there OK and that he had a good day. I know the teachers and staff there are as protective as I and won't let him end up in the wrong place, but I am mommy! And he is my first baby. And growing up so fast. At least I have solace in the fact that he decided against wanting to ride the bus home. That will have to be a hurdle for me to get over next year. Only one thing at a time.
Little Ms. Sassy herself, E, starts school next week this time. Only one day a week. But on those mornings, it will be just me and the bug! It will be so strange. Although, I am excited about it, I'm sure I will have to adjust to that too.
On top my own children growing up, I have to deal with my siblings growing up too, since I'm the oldest. My baby sister had her own baby today. So unreal. I am still having a hard time wrapping my mind around that one. And my brother will be 16 in a couple weeks!! I still remember that little redheaded four-year-old who was my "buddy", who did everything with me. We were partners in crime and he will be an adult in a few short years. Ahhh.
OK, that's enough. I don't think I can take anymore of this growing up stuff today!! I'm at my limit. :)
Not only does B want to grow up fast, but D thinks he is already grown. Today is only day 3 of school, but he did not want to me walk him to his classroom. He insisted that he "knows where it is" and that if I really wanted to then I could walk him in tomorrow. So we pull up to the drop off spot and I pulled up a little bit too far. I wanted to be able to watch him actually walk into the classroom. The supervisor lady walks over and opens the door for him, which meant that I didn't even need to get out of the car. I wanted her to understand that I just needed to see him go into the classroom, and told her that it was his first day going alone. She reassured me with a wink and a "I'll make sure he gets there" and helped him down. I was so frantic inside. I wanted to walk around a give a huge hug and watch him walk down the stretch that leads to room 3, but I couldn't. So, I called out to him that I would miss him and wished him a "good day" and sulked as I drove off. Honestly, the entire drive home, the whole 2 minutes that it takes, I wanted to turn around. I wanted to go and just peek into him classroom to make sure he made it in safely, but I knew I couldn't. I have to trust that he is big enough to do it on his own. Even now, after an hour, I am anticipating the end of the school day, so I can go and pick him up and make sure that he made it there OK and that he had a good day. I know the teachers and staff there are as protective as I and won't let him end up in the wrong place, but I am mommy! And he is my first baby. And growing up so fast. At least I have solace in the fact that he decided against wanting to ride the bus home. That will have to be a hurdle for me to get over next year. Only one thing at a time.
Little Ms. Sassy herself, E, starts school next week this time. Only one day a week. But on those mornings, it will be just me and the bug! It will be so strange. Although, I am excited about it, I'm sure I will have to adjust to that too.
On top my own children growing up, I have to deal with my siblings growing up too, since I'm the oldest. My baby sister had her own baby today. So unreal. I am still having a hard time wrapping my mind around that one. And my brother will be 16 in a couple weeks!! I still remember that little redheaded four-year-old who was my "buddy", who did everything with me. We were partners in crime and he will be an adult in a few short years. Ahhh.
OK, that's enough. I don't think I can take anymore of this growing up stuff today!! I'm at my limit. :)
Thursday, September 1, 2011
If it's not one thing, it's another
Isn't always true that no matter what you have planned for the day, the divine beings at work above, have other plans?! I think it's especially true for those of us like me. The PLANNERS. I plan things and they never work out the way I plan. You would think I would have learned, especially after 5 years in the Army life, but no! I'm stubborn. So, yesterday was so hectic with school, grocery shopping, etc. that I didn't get some things done around the house that I wanted to do so that it would be sparkly clean for our anniversary (which is today BTW. Happy 6 years!! ) so I had "planned" to do it today while R was at work, especially since I didn't have to worry about taking D to school today. Well, I should've known that things weren't going to go my way last night. R came home super late, which meant he had to go in late today. Already starting things off wrong. Then he points out that E's ankle is red and swollen. Great! I know exactly what that means. Infection!! That also means a trip to the doctor for antibiotics. So, I called and made an appointment and we got ready and left. Sure enough it's an infections and yes she has to be on antibiotics for 7 days. So here it is almost noon, I have done nothing around the house and I have to make lunch!! Guess I need to confine the kids to their rooms and pray B sleeps long enough to power clean the kitchen!! Days like this I wish I had either an extra set of arms, or a pause button, so the kids couldn't mess up one room while I clean another. Really starting to think I may just need to for-go sleep completely! I don't need sleep right?!?! Oh well, off to be domestic! Wish me luck!
Pre-k! YAY!
Yesterday was D's first day of pre-school. And surprising as it may be to most, I did not cry!! :) We strolled in, all 5 of us, and said good morning, filled out even more paperwork, and then went on our merry way. All the while D is so interested in talking to the teacher that he was not even interested in giving hugs! He did, however, and then went right back to doing as before. When, I got there to pick him up I was actually about 5 minutes early and had planned to wait outside the room, but was told that I could go ahead and go in. We waited patiently while Mrs. F and Mrs. H told the kids how proud they were of them on their first day and told them that they would not be coming today, but would return again on Friday as an entire class. (They did split entry, meaning half of the class got to go the first day, the other half the second day and then everyone would go together after that.) Both the teacher and TA told me that he had done really well and they were proud of him. And we headed out. Well, of course the barrage of questions from me started. I wanted to know every detail. But what do four-year-old kids care about?!! Apparently, lunch. That's all he wanted to tell me about. How they went to the cafeteria twice and what they ate, and snack time. Really, kid?! I did finally get a little bit more out of him. He told me they had play outside on the playground. "Duh, by the buses mom!" And apparently he is going to be like I was in school...a chatterbox. Apparently at one point Mrs. F told him that if she had to tell him to be quiet "one more time" he would be in trouble. Oh geez. Initially it struck me the wrong way. Imagining some woman talking to MY child that was just did not sit well with me. But as I thought about it I realized that 1) It may not have sounded the way that D relayed it back to me and 2) that he had to learn to do what he was told at school, even if that meant *sniff* sitting out a few times. I hate this already. This whole my kids growing up thing. It sucks!! What I wouldn't give for time to slow down and just let me enjoy them as babies a little longer. All in all it was a good first day!!
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