Emote much?

I am reading a silly chick lit book today--one of the many provided by friends who appreciate my need for light reading fare.  This one is called Girls Poker Night by Jill A. Davis.  It's a cute and funny fast read.  This morning, it made me cry.  Here's the part the struck my soul as so very true.

But what I'm thinking is that I am grateful to my parents for giving me this brother.  I always think this when I see him.  I think about how lonely life would be without him.  I figure we all come into the world alone, and there are a handful of people who know us from our birth and throughout our entire life.  And he's the one I will know the longest.  I am completely lucky.  I am the luckiest girl in the world.  Right?

For some reason, it reminded me of several years ago, back in my high school or early college years, when my mom was teaching a parenting class, and one of the assignments was to ask your kids what they liked about your family.  Our resulting answers actually couldn't be shared as examples with her students--just a bit too crass for her audience, I think.  We always felt rather comfortable with one another.  I thank David for doing an outstanding job of breaking in my parents, and then me, in your passive aggressive manner that we so love.  You certainly kept life interesting. 

Thank you, Mama and Daddy, for my brother.  Elizabeth, you always have big, giant stars in your eyes for David, which is cool.  He's totally worthy.  And, Baby Cocks, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that one day you will be thankful for your big brother.   

Alright, family.  Bring on the crass remarks.  

Sole Preparation

Daddy continues the positive front, and, really, we are feeling very positive about Henry's upcoming school change.  Yesterday, when Daddy picked up the boy, he took him immediately to turn in the registration paperwork and to see his new school.  The report back is that Henry entered his mostly empty classroom timidly but that it only took a few seconds for him to warm up to the assistant teacher, and then, he literally bumped into his buddy M who Henry always loves to see.

Next on the to do list was a trip to Target.  There, the boys bought cookie mix and frosting for H's going away party scheduled for this afternoon, some water guns for his friends, and a new pair of incredibly tacky but dress code appropriate Spiderman shoes.  We are certain that our biggest primary challenge is going to be making the switch from slip-on, comfy Crocs to tennis shoes and socks to fit the school's requirements.  

 

We are pretty sure that it won't take long for Henry's feet to get used to socks and sole support.  How does he feel about them?  He seems to be excited while cautiously accepting.  He's still reluctant to leave his Crocs behind and selected Crocs to wear on his last day at the yW.  

And, yes, they are the light up kind of shoes.  We may be going overboard.  

College Next Week

Despite our love of Henry's teachers and the community at the yW, we recently encountered some policy issues regarding siblings and the yW's inability (read: unwillingness) to reserve a spot for Baby Cocks.  We fought a decent battle--involving the executive board chair and the experience of other parents, but, in the end, the policy remained unfriendly, and, in reality, in conflict with their mission to support its families and the community.  The result was that we were forced to research the non-profit child development center options in our area, and we believe we found the right place for our boys at our technical college's child development center.  It's also NAEYC accredited (a rarity in this area due to its stringent guidelines), incorporates many of the same principles and philosophies to which we are accustomed, and it's the lab program for the college's early childhood education program.

And, guess what!  They serve lunch!  We won't have to fix H's lunch anymore, which will mean a lot, especially when it comes time to pump and fix bottles for Baby Cocks.  And, we can get a doctor's note to bring in our own organic milk for Henry.  Organic dairy is a hot button for me.  Seriously, if I can taste a huge difference, then there is something wrong with the conventional product.  I digress... 

Despite the benefits, though, it's still a major change in the midst of our morphing home life.  My emotions have been running super high the last few weeks, and this drama and additional change sure as heck didn't help things.  I know that I tend to project my anxiety on Henry, so I have been very careful.  Thankfully, my superhero husband was already planning on staying positive about the whole situation, and this morning, we broke the news to Henry about the very quick change.  (A spot came open much more quickly than we anticipated.)

We left the telling up to Cory after we rehearsed last night, and it was clear that I can't do it without my eyes twitching while I gag and scratch the palms of my hands as my nose starts to run and I look for the nearest exit.  I just keep wondering if the teacher will rub his back when he lies down for nap, will they think he's hilarious and brilliant like Mrs. Hanna and Mrs. Nicole do, will he still relish group time, and will he make new friends and remember to stand up for himself?

It went perfectly this morning.  Cory said that we had something very important and exciting to tell him.  He said, "Guess what!  We are going to let you start going to a new school with a new place to play, new toys, and best of all, new friends!"

To my relief, Henry said, "Whaaaaaat!?!?  A new school!  Yea!  I'm excited!"  He did say, "That means I won't see Wesley anymore," but we assured him that we will see Wesley in other places.  It's true.  That particular friend's parents are also part of the bar association and attend family events.

I knew I was worrying too much, but I think I also knew he would take it just fine. Thankfully, I have been getting lots of reassuring support from my mom and mom-friends, one whose child also left the yW and moved to the same center for the exact same reason.  She reminded me, among other things, that we are going to love not fixing lunch every night.  Another friend reminded me that our kids still tend to operate on the id level, less so than the ego and super ego level from which I see things.  An additional positive aspect is that Henry's current assistant teacher, Ms. Nicole, will be in H's new room every Wednesday to complete her own lab requirements.  She is of the opinion that Henry will thrive in his new room and that the teacher is a good fit for our boy.  The kids also know they are getting a new friend and are very excited about it.

Sure, there is stress associated with any change--good and bad.  We have lots of adjustments ahead of us, and there are going to be rough patches.  The new center won't be perfect.  Nothing is.  I'm not even perfect!  Gasp!  But, our family will be OK.  Henry will be OK.   I'm OK.  You're OK. 

While I'm considering the existence of imperfections, though, let me put out a plea.  The new CDC follows the college calendar and has a week of spring break, two weeks off at Christmas, and a week off in July.  We will need some additional help during those weeks.  Hint, hint.  Nana?  Grandjane?  Elizabeth?  

Sympathy Pains

Tonight, as Daddy was closing Henry's door at bedtime, I heard Henry whimper, "I think I have heartburn."  Poor guy.  Does he really hear me complain that much?

At 3 Years, 3 Months, 3 weeks, 3 Days

Today, Henry is 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days old.  To commemorate the day, we had a parent/ teacher conference with Mrs. Hannah.

Here's what we covered today:

• Henry knows oodles of words to provide examples for beginning letters
• He shows empathy and compassion and even met a goal of being more open to sharing the floor and accepting others' opinions when it comes to their book, song, and felt board choices
• Another goal of being more proficient with fine motor skills was also met.  He now uses his fork and spoon with confidence and enjoys using pens and pencils to do an impressive job of writing his name
• He listens well and follows directions (must do a better job of it at school than at home)
• Henry looks out for his friends, but, thankfully, he's not the class tattle-tale
• Our boy likes calling people "tootie head"
• Mrs. Hannah says he's a "model student" and that he's "brilliant"
• Up next?  Beginning reading--sounding out words and recognizing sight words

And, if we needed more reason for our heads to swell, she gave us an example of his cognitive skills via anecdote.  On their fieldtrip to the GSP Airport last Friday, the airplane mechanic asked the group if there were any questions after the tour of the control tower.  Most questions went something like, "Why is there a leaf over there?"  "Airplanes fly up high!"  Henry, though, requested, "I want to know why some airplanes have propellers and some don't."

Yes.  We are proud of the boy.  But any parent knows that we're a lot less proud of his skills than we are of him being here--being our boy, our son.

After Dinner

Cory has been responsible for picture taking lately, but I wanted to get a few of my cute guys watering the garden after dinner.  I think Henry was shocked when I walked around the corner.

I love H's face here.  It's not a bad shot of Cory, either.

What started out as one flower...

... turned into a few more, all gathered from the neighbor's yard.

It was nice to watch my ketchup-faced boy run around outside.  I don't get to see enough of it lately.

And, if you are thinking that Henry's outfit is just stunningly cute, well, give props to Elizabeth.  She agreed to brave the mall for me to pick up a couple of knock around outfits for Henry to wear to school.  There are some perks to being on bed rest, for sure.  And, it's just one example of the love and support we receive every day from friends and family.  Our village is vast!

Sweet with a touch of crazy

Tonight, I went into H's room to give him a kiss and to check on him, which basically entails making sure that he isn't out of the bed and then fixing his covers, as he insists we do nightly.

I leaned over to kiss him, and he said, "You're sweet."
"You're sweet, too, Henry."
"Actually, I'm a little crazy."