2007 March | A Mama's Blog

Preschool

March 29, 2007 By A Mama's Blog 1 Comment

After procrastinating for a few months on enrolling Ryan in preschool, I finally mailed off his enrollment forms for him to attend a preschool for their fall and winter schedule.

The place we decided on, isn’t a “typical” preschool. It is on a farm, just outside our city limits. It is actually just one street over in the country from where Joe’s parents live-you can see their house from the school. The school is a working farm with just about every animal you can imagine. When we took a tour, a goat just had a kid (the night before) and Ryan got to hold it. The children help on the farm with the animals and various other chores.

There is a “schoolhouse” which is a converted chicken house. There are only 8 children in each class with one teacher, and an assistant, so the ratio is 4:1, which is nice. They do have some of the structured activities, like sitting in a circle for stories, and doing arts and crafts which correspond to events happening on the farm. But most of the time is spent outdoors, experiencing the farm, which in itself is a unique experience, which will teach Ryan about nature, science, biology, botany, weather, and the circle-of-life.

Ryan will be going for a half day session, one day a week, and I have to say that I am excited for him to start, but a little sad as well. This really means my “baby” really isn’t a baby anymore, but a little boy. The other day he told me he wanted to go to school on a yellow school bus, and in my heart I know it is time for him to start venturing out in the world away from me, in his own little way. It feels like we have reached a milestone, but one of those good milestones, where I know he is really ready to go, and I know the timing is right for him (but it still a little bittersweet for me!)

The school allows parents to stay during the session as long as they want (or as long as the child needs you to stay), but I have a feeling when the times come, Ryan will be fine.

We really like the idea of Ryan being able to be around a working farm, animals, and other children. We feel that he is progressing very well with the “basics” like his ABC’s, counting, and he is starting to recognize words and memorize stories. He is even starting to sound out some words, on his own.

The socialization is very important to us, and I think this experience will get him used to being around other children, help him learn about working in a group, being in a school structure, while most important- still having fun.

A big bonus too, is one of his friends for sure, (a boy, 1 month younger than him) will also be going during the same time, and another one of his friends (a girl, 6 months younger) may be in the same session as well, so it will be great he will already have a friend or two whom he knows, and he will hopefully be able to build on those friendships, and make new ones.

I am excited for Ryan, and know he will love it. I can’t wait to hear him tell me about his day on the farm, when he starts attending.

Filed Under: Parenting, Ryan, School

Sunshine at Last

March 26, 2007 By A Mama's Blog 2 Comments

The weather is finally warming up around here, and it has been SO nice. Last week we met a friend, her daughter is six months younger than Ryan, and her son is two months older than Cole, for a walk and picnic at a park. Ryan and H. had a lot of fun running around and playing in the warm weather, and we enjoyed the sunshine as well.

We have discovered that Cole doesn’t like the grass. Every time we try to put him on it, he cries, and gets a really freaked out look on his face. So I have resorted to putting him in a cardboard box, so he can be outside too. He won’t crawl off of it.

Today he sat in his box, while Ryan played, and I went in and out of the house, doing laundry. I managed to snap this picture of him in the box-

A few minutes later it dawned on me that I could put his exerciser out, and he really liked that. I heard Ryan singing to him, after Cole had been outside for about 10 minutes, and I walked by the door and saw this:

That really touched my heart. Sometimes it seems like all I do all day is tell Ryan, “no,” and “be nice to Cole.” It was nice to see that Ryan can be sweet to Cole as well, and makes me wonder how many other tender moments like this I have missed seeing.

In other news, we are really busy, trying to figure out what kind of car we want, and then we have to narrow it down and go do some test drives.

We finally got our taxes done yesterday (doing a happy dance,) AND we get a pretty good refund back. (doing another happy dance.) BUT now we will probably end up spending it on the replacement car- (no more happy dances.)

I also have a lot of work, from my job that I am trying to organize, so if I don’t blog that much this week, that is why, or else I am trying to enjoy the nice weather while it lasts.

Filed Under: Activities, Cole, Parenting, Ryan

Cole’s First Word

March 20, 2007 By A Mama's Blog 2 Comments

Seems my baby is getting bigger every day. Today he looked at me and said, “Ma, Ma, Ma,” and smiled. He keeps saying it when he sees me, so I am taking that as his “official” first word- “Mama!”

He sounds so sweet when he says it; I had forgotten how cute a baby sounds, uttering their first words.

Filed Under: Cole

Cole at Nine Months

March 16, 2007 By A Mama's Blog 1 Comment

Cole had his nine-month check-up this week. He is 21 pounds, and is 29 inches long. The doctor said he was doing great!

He has his two front bottom teeth in, and just got his top 4 front teeth in- ouch! Poor little guy- no wonder he was so fussy last weekend.

He is starting to stick out his tongue, and will do it, if he sees someone else do it. He loves to clap- he claps when it is time to get out of the car, when it is time to eat, play, bath, or time for bed.

He drinks out of a cup really well, and loves to eat! Seriously, he almost eats the same amount of food Ryan does. He loves everything so far he has tried, except for broccoli.

I think my favorite thing right now is his adorable, cute, pudgy, chubby, cheeks. I love squeezing them, and he just laughs every time I do. I also call him “Roly Poly Colely.” My sister called him that when she was out for a visit in November, and it just kind of stuck.

He is still a very cuddly baby, and is happiest when he is being held, or is having attention being paid to him. He is starting to really enjoy and want Dad, which is a welcome milestone.

He has also been sleeping pretty well in his crib, next to our bed. I think he is getting used to it. Tonight he nursed for about 10 minutes, and when I placed him in the crib, he rolled over and fell right asleep. He is growing up a little every day, and I am sure I will be wondering where the time went with him very shortly too.

I hope to have some better pictures soon of Cole, but here were a few we took this week after we went for a walk, and he decided to play with his hat.

Filed Under: Cole

Goin’ To Grandma’s

March 16, 2007 By A Mama's Blog 1 Comment

Well, it was bound to happen- my little Ryan got a taste for spending the night at Grandma’s, and is no longer satisfied sleeping at home- he wants to spend the night at Grandma’s now-in his words, “I need to stay all night and all day at Grandma’s-Mom, Dad, and Baby Cole need to go home.”

He really wanted to spend the night on Wednesday night, but that didn’t work out for Grandma, so we decided on tonight, and since Wednesday, Ryan has been continually asking, “Is it Friday night?” Today was the day, and at breakfast he told me, “I am going to spend the night with Grandma tonight.” He just knew- then he proceeded to ask if his cousins were going to be there. When I told him no, he got a BIG smile on his face- (sorry cousins). I asked him if he got more attention from Grandma when he was there all by himself, and with another big grin he said, “Oh yeah!” I guess he knows a good thing when he has it.

I insisted he take a nap before Grandma came to get him this afternoon. He wants to sleep on the couch for his naps, and he doesn’t get up- surprisingly, he falls right asleep. But today he couldn’t fall asleep- (I wonder why?) He finally got up to use the potty and called me down for a wipe. After we were done he said, “I am going to go sleep in my nest.” I just said “ok,” because I wasn’t too sure what he was talking about.

He climbed back on the couch, and sat up, with his head leaning up against the couch, and put blankets all around his feet and torso. “I’m in my nest, Mommy, just like Big Bird.” Ahh… He looked pretty uncomfortable, and I asked him if he wanted to lie down in his nest, and he told me no. So I went back upstairs, and let him fall asleep in his nest.

Finally, it was time to get up, and Grandma came. She had a big surprise for Ryan, and he was just thrilled beyond words- here is a picture of it- (of course Cole had to get in on the action too)

Grandma bought Ryan his very own suitcase! He kept telling us to hurry and pack him up. Joe transferred his stuff from an Old Navy bag into his suitcase, and he was out the door, no looking back, like a world traveler.

I couldn’t help but think one day he really will be out the door, not just for a night at Grandma’s, but for good. It makes me sad to think about that now, and I hope when the time comes it will be easier to contemplate, but somehow I doubt it.

When are we really ready to ever let our children out the door for good? They can leave our house, into their own world, but I have a feeling their presence will never be gone, and I will not be able to wait until they “come back home,” for a visit, whether it is for a few hours, or a weekend, etc.

I think that is one of the astonishing things about children- they change your lives so completely and inside out- and once they do, you can never imagine, nor do you want to, your life without them. It is never the same again, and it is comforting to know that is how it is supposed to be.

Filed Under: Family & Friends, Parenting, Ryan