SWIMMING LESSONS

Since the winter swimming lessons schedule didn't really jive with our family schedule, A and I vowed to take the kids to as many open swims as we could over the winter months. We went to the YMCA one morning a few weeks ago and today we ventured to a new place.

Both of our outings have resulted in similar outcomes ... the water is FREEZING! AA's lips turn blue just as fast as mine do, so after twenty minutes of treading in the cold waters, the girls hop out and bundle up in towels ...
and watch the brave boys from the sidelines!

I can't wait for summer fun!

MILESTONE

News alert! News alert!

Tonight when I was brushing AA's gums I felt something ... two sharp ridges! At one year and one month and three weeks old (not that I've been counting!) ... AA has her first teeth! I can't wait to see what her smile will look like when these two bottom teeth fully emerge!

DAYCARE 2.0

We've just completed week 2 of the new daycare (although, due to A's schedule, the kids only needed to attend 3 days each week). We are all still alive. And so far, healthy. JP continues to thrive. It's so fun to see him grow into such a true preschooler. He is so excited to go each morning and he barely hugs me goodbye when I drop him off. JP greets us with the biggest smile each afternoon as he proudly presents his art project of the day. I'm told that he's always happy and listens well. (Thankfully, his potty training has carried through too ... I was really worried about that transition!) Although JP frequently mentions his friend, Colton, I think he's pulling his charm on the girls too! Earlier this week, A observed his classroom from the window and noted JP to be on the small couch reading books in between Ava and Zoe!

AA is doing better. Of the six mornings we've dropped her off, she's screamed intensely ALL six mornings. This does not surprise me. I'm told she stops crying shortly and remains happy throughout the day ... until she starts to see other parents come and pick up their kids. The dropoffs are getting easier though. One of her teachers swoops AA away and rocks and cuddles her ... before I'm back in my car AA's stopped crying (thank goodness for those spy cams in the lobby!). Most of the day AA is in the older infant room (10-16 months), so they are trying to transition her from two naps to one. This in itself is a change. Her teachers tell me that AA spends most of her day wandering around the classroom moving toys from one end to another ... always moving and very busy. This also does not surprise me.

This gal is always on the go! For part of the day the older infants join up with the younger infants ... apparently AA is a little mother hen bringing and stacking toys next to the ones that can't crawl.

I'm hopeful that the next few weeks continue to get better!

KISS

Could they get any more adorable?!?!

46

On a good day, JP can count to 13. Sometimes, he even gets to 19. But he's never came near the mid-twenties, and the thirties are beyond his comprehension. This became quite apparent over the weekend, as A celebrated his birthday. I tried to teach him over and over again just how old daddy was turning ... yet whenever asked, JP would shout: "Daddy is fawty six!" I can hardly wait for my birthday!

Per A's hints, we bought an ice cream cake for his low key celebration.(Of course, to a child, there is no such thing as a low key birthday celebration! With presents, and cake, and candles ... )

Happy Birthday Daddy!

DAYCARE

There's no turning back ... today we began a new chapter in our lives.
A daycare center.

I couldn't sleep last night. I was so worried about today. I knew that JP would be able to quickly adjust to the new daycare. After all, we've been talking about it for the last month and JP has visited the place a few times. But I couldn't sleep because I was thinking of AA. She's reaching her stranger danger phase at prime time ... she even cried when I left her with Miss Emmy last week! I was just anxious about getting us all through the first day. The first week.

And I was exactly right. JP beamed with joy when I told him today was the day to go to school. He led the way to his classroom and quickly found his locker. As soon as his jacket was hung up, he was off. I shouted goodbye to him from across the room and he blew me a kiss. His teachers told A at pickup today that he did wonderful. And now he won't stop talking about his new friend named Colton. He asked if he could go again tomorrow.

AA screamed when I left. Loud. The lobby has a screen where parents can spy on their kids in all of the classrooms. I didn't even need to look. I could hear the screams in the lobby despite the infant room being two doorways and one hallway away. I felt horrible, but miraculously, I didn't cry ... I think I prepared myself so much for this! I called midmorning and was informed that AA was still "sad" but no longer was "crying." At pickup, she was apparently playing and content. Her teachers said she did pretty well. (Of course, I'll need to get more details when I go tomorrow!). I'm nearly certain we'll have a repeat morning tomorrow!

I'm anxious for this new change to become routine!

PLAYDATE

We are so lucky to only live one hour away from my good college friend, A. We visited her family on Saturday ... JP was in HEAVEN with all of the boy toys! This was honestly the first play date we've had that has been just as relaxing for the parents as it was for the kids! Normally I spend most of our playdates chasing after my kids and I can barely get a word in with the other adults. It's just the stage of life we're in ... but this time JP was 100% enthralled with Hudson and Nolan. (Well, and all of the planes, trains, and automobiles).
And AA became unglued to me !!! She kept herself entertained ... despite a house full of new toys, AA's favorite toy was two month old Westin . . . a real baby!Our Saturday afternoon playdate gave me a glimpse of the future ... as our kids get older, these endeavours will become less work and more fun!

MISS EMMY

When I was 8+ months pregnant with JP, A and I began the hunt for childcare. We toured daycare centers and home daycares. We signed up for a center two blocks from our home and paid our deposit. It was stressful. As the first few weeks of JP's life passed by, A and I just didn't feel right about the daycare center choice. One night I logged on to the classified page at my work and saw a posting from Miss Emmy: Stay at home mom wanting to care for and love one family in my home. Call for more details. And so I did.

For the last 2.5 years, Miss Emmy has helped raise my kids. She's taken JP and AA in as her own and provided them with endless attention. Her own three girls have been the big sisters for my kids. Miss Emmy has watched my babes learn to sit and crawl and walk; she's witnessed first teeth and potty training; she's listened to their first words. Miss Emmy has way more patience than I will ever be able to muster ... nearly every day she's bundled up all of the kids and ventured out for preschool dropoffs, or Target runs, or storyhour at the library or playtime at indoor gym. Furthermore, Miss Emmy has been an amazing support to me ... she's a mom with experience and always seems to know the right answer to my parenting questions. She picks up on the first signs of a runny nose or fever and keeps me well informed.

But, now is the time. Yesterday was our last official day at Miss Emmy's (though I'm certain we will still visit often) and next week JP and AA will start attending a brand new daycare center two blocks from my work. A few months back, A and I decided to initiate the change. For many reasons ... including a more structured environment; no TV; built in preschool curriculum; boys for JP to play with; major convenience of childcare location; age of our kids ... it just seemed right. Yet, we will never forget the role Miss Emmy played in our lives during these early foundation years!

ANGEL

Ahh, yes, my affectionate, sweet, angelic brown eyed babe can throw a

real temper tantrum.

The first one was in Fleet Farm shopping for Grandpa J's Christmas gift. AA wanted nothing to do with the shopping cart, so I let her walk through the aisle holding my hand. When it was time to walk in a different direction she immediately ... and forcefully ... let go of my hand, dropped to her knees, flung her head back on the hard floor (thankfully I broke her fall), moved her legs out in front of her and started kicking. And crying. Then screaming. I had never seen anything like it. AA has replicated that day in early December more than a handful of times now.

It's just so interesting how my two kids can be so different. I'm not sure how much of their personalities are attributed to their hardwired genes, birth order, gender, or changes in parenting styles. Whatever it is, AA is definitely my drama child ... at least for now, I guess there's no saying what the future holds! She is superglued to me most of the time. AA is soft and sweet and smiley ... and sneaky! She's quite clever, actually.

While I'm still getting used to handling these tantrums (JP has yet to throw one!), I love AA's energetic personality with all of my heart!

HEAT WAVE

Is this really Minnesota?!?! We enjoyed many outdoor activities this weekend ...
near 50 degree temps in mid January!
JP still loves riding his bike.

NEW CHAIR

Somebody just loves what Santa Claus
delivered!

(Thanks Grandma K and Grandpa A!)

OUCH!

What started out as a little scratch on JP's nose has led to an obsession for band-aids! The scratch turned into a sore as the preschooler loves to PICK! In order to prevent daily rebleeds, I suggested we place a band aid with neosporin on his nose at bedtime. Of course, JP now knows where the band aid drawer is located and insists we cover up all of his pretend sores too!