Ready or Not

This week we went to Elli's preschool orientation.  Now, I'll admit, I have been counting down the days until we start preschool.  I figured Elli going would be great for everyone.  It would give me a little break, give Jackson some time with just mommy and would give Elli some time out of the house and a chance to socialize.  Win-Win for everyone.  I was so excited.

I went on Thursday night for the parent meeting and then on Friday morning Elli and I went together for the kid open house.  She went in her room to play and meet her teachers while I stayed with her.  When I walked in the door with her, I teared right up.  Why?  I don't really know.  I'm still very excited about preschool. I like her teachers and I think it is going to be great for her.  But it hit me that she will be away from me consistently throughout the week.  I realized that someone else will be teaching her.  I also feel like it wasn't that long ago that I was in the hospital trying to figure out how to put her gown on (that is the memory that keeps coming back this week).

Elli was a little timid on Friday and I do expect some tears on Wednesday, but I know she is going to love it!

My sweets!

We have come a long ways in just two short years and it makes me want to slow it down with Jackson.  This goes by so quickly.  I have had such a rough time with Jackson lately, not sure if he teething or what, but he hasn't been big on taking naps.  We've spent a lot of time with him crying and me frustrated.  Seeing Elli walk into preschool reminded me that "this too shall pass!"  And it passes too quickly.  I have to stop being so obsessed with the small things and remember that these are my babies and they will only be babies for a short short time.

I'm excited for Elli but this milestone reminds me that so many more are coming.  I have to hold onto my baby.  I love her so much.

A Comparison

Happy Four Months Jackson

He is now a whopping four months old!  He is really rolling both ways now and LOVES to talk.  He is constantly cooing at us.  He is a happy kid in general, always stopping to smile.  We are still working out his nap times (he likes to cut them short by about 30 minutes) but his night time sleep is pretty good.  We are so in love with this little fella!

He looks like he is doing some kung-fu here!

Project Monday

Today we were very sad to say goodbye to Miss Lyndsay as she heads off to college.  Miss Lyndsay has been Elli's babysitter since Elli was learning to walk.  She has been a wonderful part of our lives and we will truly miss her.  Elli wanted to make her something special so we made Jolly Rancher sun catchers.  Elli made the one for Miss Lyndsay all by herself.  They turned out great...except they ended up being sticky once they dried.  Miss Lyndsay suggested we try spraying them with clear spray paint so that's what we'll do next time.  Thanks for everything Miss Lyndsay!  We will miss you but know you will be super successful in college!

Create designs on parchment paper with jolly ranchers

Bake at 325 for 5-6 minutes and this is what you get!

Second round!  We used toothpicks to make a hole for the string.

While our sun catchers were cooking, we tried out pompom numbers.  The website we used to print the papers suggested putting magnets on the pompoms and then doing the activity on a cookie sheet.  We didn't have magnets so I just let Elli glue them on.  I would love to say this captivated her for hours but it really only lasted 10 minutes or so.  I think she would have like the magnets better.

I have to be careful with our learning activities.  Elli knows what I want her to do and can get stubborn.  For example, today I told her to count the pompoms using her magic counting finger and she wouldn't do it.  I finally got her to and then decided not to push it; I don't want her to feel pressured in anyway at this age.  I want her to love every educational activity, not see it as a chore.  So I let her explore the pompoms herself.  I think she'll like this activity again and again though - it really is fun!

Trying This One Out for Jackson

So I am trying to adjust Jackson's schedule so it will accommodate Elli in preschool.  This is my goal...we'll see how it goes when preschool actually starts in a week!

6:00 - wake and nurse
7:00-9:00 - nap while I get Elli up for preschool
9:00 - walk Elli down to preschool and then come back to nurse
10:15 - 11:45 - nap
11:45 - walk down and get Elli from preschool, come back and both of them eat
1:00 - 3:00 - everyone naps
3:00 - nurse
4:45 - small nap in swing
5:30 - nurse
7:00 - bath
7:30 - bottle and bed

This has worked the first few days and he definitely needed that nap added in at 10:00.  However, he is waking up after only 45 minutes during that nap, so we are working on that.  I'm not sure if its hunger or just transition but we'll figure it out.  I'll update after preschool starts and see how it goes.

Jackson's Schedule....Not Quite Right

Well, I was liking Jackson's new schedule, but he seems to be getting too fussy so I'm going to try adding in another nap.  I am trying it this morning and he did sleep for 30 minutes, but is now up and fussing.  So this is going to take some work, but we'll get there!  It seems his "wake time" was just too long in the previous schedule, but maybe he'll grow into it.  Who knows?!?!

The Maryland Crew