Back to (Play) School

My daughters attend a playgroup at the elementary school in a neighboring town. It is only available during the school year. During the holidays us moms are left to fend for ourselves. I must say that it became quite a challenge with my 2 yo. She was very hard to entertain and as a result of boredom, often got into trouble.

Now that she is back on schedule, she is much easier to tolerate, easy to entertain, and noticeably happy. This morning she woke up asking if we were going to school but today is an off day.

Her younger sister has no problems with playgroup. Turns out she is just a go with the flow kind of gal. At school she gets right into playing and mingling. A very confident and independent young lady. So funny because as a young baby she would not let anyone other than myself keep her. Part of the reason why I decided to stay at home with them. Sarah on the other hand is a bit shy and reserved at first, but once acclimated she gets down to playing, mostly by herself. (Parallel play).

I can't wait for them to begin full day school. School is a haven for both parents and kids alike.

Exiting Summer. Entering Fall.

I hate changing seasons. Well, it is easier for me to transition from winter to spring. In fact, I enjoy i, knowing that we have months of warmth to look forward to makes me tolerate the chill in the air. Not so with Fall. I hate going from warm to cold. It is the first cold draft that is the worst. As you go on and the temperatures dip lower it becomes easier to bear as you have had some time to become accustomed to it. But this first sudden drop sneaks up on you so fast.

It was a mostly uneventful summer for us. That is good I guess. Too much excitement is not good for one's health. Says I. Anyhow, after today it will be unofficially Fall. The kids go back to school. Parents get a break from those "I am so bored" complaints. And the flu season begins.

I get sick twice a year. Once in the fall and another time in the spring. As a mom I struggle with keeping my girls safe from injuries and illness. I can only do so much before one of them will eat something off the floor.

Currently we all have our first taste of a seasonal cold. Not as devastating as the ones in the spring but annoying enough. It is bad enough that we can no longer give children under 6 cold medicine. (I still give it to my 2 yo. Shhh! Don't tell anyone!) :-) I give Tylenol to both as needed. But I am trying to go back to the natural remedies that our mothers, grandmothers, and their grandmothers used to give kids.

So far I am experimenting with the garlic and honey tea. My older child refuses to drink it but the younger one will drink it with no hesitation. We will see how if it helps or not soon enough. I give them a warm bath in eucalyptus oil and it seems to help relax them. I notice the night cough is gone when I do that. I also rub them down with it and that helps as well.

The important thing is to keep them warm and cozy and try to make them as comfortable as possible. That brings up another point that I hate about transitioning into fall. Any season as a matter of fact. I have to have two different seasonal clothing in the closets as the days may start off cool, then get warm, then get cold at night. It is really annoying when you have limited closet space and have to be combing through the clothes to get rid of the sleeveless shirts and shorts, but keep the short sleeve shirts and throw in a few long sleeves, pants, and jackets.

Now that our outdoor time will be severely limited I am already plannign ahead to see what activities i can get them involved in during the approaching winter. I know what it is like when the kids get cabin fever, but Mommy does not do cold weather. Which brings me to my last point.

I am one of the many people who require lots of sunshine and warm weather in order to function. It is a condition known as SAD...Seasonal Affective Disorder. Most commonly known as the winter blues. I have planned a trip to Jamaica for a couple weeks during the winter, but unfortunately that will not compensate for a half year of undesireable weather. It is hard to be cheery around the kids and I often lack the desire to do anything outside of my bed.

As with anything else, we just have to take things one step at a time. Expect the best, prepare for tthe worst, and be thankful for the in-between.

Party Pro

Or so I have been told. My in-laws tend to rely on me when it comes to party planning. I have been a mom for 2 years and 4 months now. In that time I have thrown : 2 christening parties, 5 birthday parties, and countless holiday dinners and cookouts in between. I love to entertain. Granted I always get stressed and have major meltdowns during the prep, but they always turn out good!

On a brighter note

My older child is now using the potty 100% throughout the day. She even takes her naps without pull ups! Time to work on the baby.

Older daughter also is taking to the pool very well and is learning how to swim. It is a work in progress but she is no longer terrified of going in the pool.

The First

My Abi as you can tell, turned one recently. I am happy. She is healthy and growing. Learning new things every day. I am truly blessed. But I have said this before and will say it again. I am sad. Maybe because I know she is my baby. I will not have anymore, although her father has been implying that he wants to have another in an attempt to have a son. [insert rolleye smilie here]

Despite all that, I can't imagine how my life would be without her. When I found out I was pregnant with her I was less than thrilled. Sarah was 7 months old when I conceived her. I was not ready for another. I was very disconnected from the pregnancy. I was sick for most of the time and busy between work and caring for Sarah so there was no desire or opportunity to bond with the unborn baby. It was a labor of love that I wanted to get over with.

But the moment she was born and came into the world my heart melted instantly. Funny I did not feel this emotion with my firstborn even though her birth was highly anticipated. The love I felt when I first saw Abi's face, when I first held her in my arms, when I first put her to my breast, that love is such a powerful indescribable feeling. A feeling I still feel to this day when I see her one year later, running around the house, finding new things out on her own, when she kisses me, or is calling me to come get her out of her crib, or when she smiles at me like she has not seen me in a very long time. This is the first time I think I can say I know what true love feels like.

Pee-Pee in the Potty Puddle

My 2 yo has opted to pee on my bathroom floor.

I thought for a brief sec that my toilet was backed up.

I am pissed...literally.

Bits and Pieces

Alot has been going on lately. Had a few deaths. One dramatic birth. And a whole lot of different emotions in between. But in all the confusion we must remain in a state of functionality for our children right?

• Sarah has been going to the potty on a regular basis. She had one accident free day but everyday I have at least 1 accident. But she is enjoying the reward system. I have a reward chart in her room and she puts Dora stickers on the squares each time she goes. So far she has earned a trip to the playground. This time around she is gonna go for ice cream when she gets all her stickers.

• Abi is walking! I am so sad. Happy, yes, but sad. My baby is getting big. She cut her first set of teeth too. All on the verge of her first birthday.

Which brings me to my next point:

• I am so stressed over what to do for her birthday. I feel that I have done it all for Sarah. And I am struggling to "top that". But I am so tired of the preparation that goes into it. And the clean up. I am tired of guests who show up just to eat and get a plate to take home with them, but never pitch in to help with anything, or even compensate with a decent gift. I wanted to do something simple and outsource the prep work but the father wants to keep it at home. I guess so his tribe can come over and get their grub on. Joy!

Also running through my mind:

• How do I keep my kids busy through the summer? Playgroup is done until the fall so my kids are home until it resumes. We have been on 2 vacations since March and I feel as if it is time to take another one so the girls, Sarah in particular, can get loose.

• I hate this weather. It has not been hot, but most days have not been suitable outdoor weather. I took the girls out to watch fireworks the other night and it was so chilly! We haven't even opened out pool! Not good swimming weather at all. We did get a little kiddie pool for the girls to splish splash in on those rare hot days.

• Lastly, I am conflicted as to whether or not I should post pics here. I have tons of pics to share of the girls but I do not like the photo option on these blogs as they often get in the way of the post. I wish there was some way I could have a thumbnail of pics in an album here on the blog. If any of you know if such an option is available please drop me a line.