A Successful Week

This was one of those weeks. The ones where Wednesday should be Friday because hump day just isn't getting it done. It's been busy in our household. My kid-free mornings during the week have been spent doing The Bar Method ( Mamas, I need to post about this awesome, gut-wrenching, thigh-quivering workout that= pain--in the best possible way) and I realize I need to alter my schedule so that I get one of those mornings free to do NOTHING. Or something more than working out. Our afternoons and evenings were busy and at the end of each day, I feel like my legs ran a race. Some days, I really did. 

This was a successful week nonetheless. Micron didn't cry. Zilch. This past Monday morning started out like any other, except both were cranky from a late Sunday night and were seriously on each others' nerves, which led to both of them being in a time-out situation. Micron cried (because time-outs still mean she has to pout and sometimes cry), somehow a light bulb went on in my head. I rushed over to her as she was crying and told her, "Ok, cry it out now before school so that by the time I drop you off, you're done. You're done crying at drop-off. Let it all out now." Mamas, it worked!! Micro chirped in and said, "That's a great idea." And once she was done crying and I released her and Micro from timeout, they gave each other a hug, apologized, and somehow, Micron understood. 

Don't get me wrong, I didn't take it for granted the minute I dropped her off and realized she didn't shed a tear. In fact, I hadn't even said goodbye, but our eye contact ensured me that she knew, "Bye Mama, I'll be ok. Even though I still don't want you to leave." It was cause for celebration. I smiled in disbelief the entire time I drove away. I felt like if I thought about it too much, I might jinx it. Then Wednesday came, and no tears. Today, no tears. As a parent, I've learned to take each moment as it comes, because you never know. 

I'm proud of my baby girl. We're still coping and adjusting to new routines, but each day gets a bit easier. My shoulders don't tense up as much nowadays, and I feel like we've broken through some barriers. I won't know what it will be like once we go away for vacation and she might cry again. But, baby steps. 

This was her chosen outfit to start the week off. She chose it all, right down to those awfully cute leg warmers. Micron definitely has more fashion sense than me. Thank God! (Ignore those ugly bland white walls, we're slowly decorating room by room and the living room is low on the list for now)

Learning to Cope

As adults, we fall easily into that trap of expecting our kids to behave and react accordingly to certain situations. Expectations are high and often we forget that these little guys go through some major adjustment periods. Micron and I survived the first week of pre-school. (Our whole family did). I say, "I," because I'm the stay-at-home parent who has to deal with the crying child at drop-off and having to deal with her anxiety about stressful situations during the week. It's not easy. For her and for me. I try and not compare her with Micro, who by the end of the first full week of pre-school, had stopped crying. She is not him, he is not her. 

As a family, our anxieties get passed to and from one another. I'm doing my best to keep calm, give reassurance and strength, as well as trying to identify with Micron what she's going through. Breaking out of our comfort zones is no easy feat. It takes a village to raise a child, and I'm lucky my village is extremely supportive and comforting. But there are those moments, when I feel frustrations' pressure heavy on my shoulders. That unwelcome feeling of having to get through the next couple of minutes...you know what I'm talking about, whether you have kids or not. That has been my MWF mornings. I'm racing to drop off Micro 40 minutes earlier than Micron starts school, and help him settle in to follow the morning's directions from the teacher. Then the anxiety starts to set in about my drop-off with Micron. I know it's wrong to feel that because she'll feel it too. But sometimes, I can't keep it at bay.

I survived the first week of two kids in school. I got some quality "me" time. I had a GNO (girls' night out). I'm ok. Micron still leaves school with a big grin when I pick her up. Her teacher says Micron is her "little shadow." We can't win all the challenges the first try. We just have to keep picking ourselves up and try, try again. So, here's to Finally Friday, and may each week get a little easier. For all of us.

She's leaving The Roost

Well, not exactly. But it sure feels like it. Micron had her first day of pre-school today! It was both exciting and nerve-wracking. 

Last week, we attended a meetup at the school playground so that the kids could kind of get to know each other before entering the unknown world of "pre-school." Micron did amazingly well, considering she was extremely shy the first 5 minutes, but soon found a kindred spirit in a fellow girl that likes playing with blocks and the sort. It was a relief to see her get comfortable. 

Come this morning, after we dropped Micro off, we had some time to kill before Micron's school began. I rushed back home to pack extra clothes in case of any accidents (I'll be doing this at least for awhile til I feel she's been handling herself well). I gathered with other fellow proud parents who were just as eager to send their littles off for three hours. Once the doors opened and she recognized her teacher, she strolled in, hung her little backpack, put her name tag on, and wondered off to play. The first few minutes were so adorable as parents played paparazzi, shooting pictures of their wee ones in the classroom. Then the time came for me to hug my little girl and say "see you later." 

That was a total bust. As soon as I bent down to give her a hug, I saw the cry lines starting to form on her face, and before I could say, "Hi-Five me big girl," the tear ducts opened freely. Followed by wails of, "No Mommy, No!" I started to get up and move away, assuring her everything will be fine and I'll be back. That's when the teacher strolled over to me and said, "It's ok, I got this, you go ahead and leave. She'll be ok." And just like that, I left and closed the door behind me. Only to see it fling open as another little girl who was crying, raced to her Mom and hung onto her leg. Yes, I know all those kids, crying or not, will be fine. It's us, Parents, we never want our kid to be that kid. The one who can't let go, the one who cries everytime we drop off. But it won't be like that for everyone, because new routines take time getting used to. Going to school, takes time getting used to. I'm grateful to my friend who came over to see if I was ok and distracted me with conversation and support, recognizing that look on my face, of feeling bad I left my little girl crying. I knew I'd be fine, but still, she's my baby--and she's left my Roost.

Pre-school, it brings anxiety and excitement to all those involved. Parents, kids, teachers, and aides. 
Thankfully, I came back after 3 hours to a happy, smiling little girl. Micron entertained me with tales of her first day. We did it baby girl. We made it through today. I'm so VERY PROUD OF YOU.

 

 

There's ONLY ONE FIRST DAY.

School is upon us. Micro began his first day of TK (Transitional Kindergarten) two weeks ago. This school could possibly end up being where he'll go for elementary, but we are still entertaining the thought of another nearby school. Thankfully, both are walking distance.

It's been quite a road getting him here. Micro had 1.5 years of preschool from an outstanding teacher, with whom Micron will soon benefit from too. Despite the many new faces and unfamiliar surroundings, Micro handled his first day with maturity and enthusiasm. The night before he voiced his "anxiety and fear" about going to the new school. It reminded me of when I was a child and having the same exact fears about the first day of school. I hugged my little man and told him that it was ok to feel that way, but that in time, his feelings would change. I shared with him my own experiences as a kid, and we bonded over that. Mr. Fliz, Micron, and I, accompanied Miles to his first day in a new school with new friends and a new teacher.

When you become a parent, you automatically become part of this little club where you bond with other parents over shared experiences. A milestone such as this, is one of them. Along with other anxious parents whose children will start TK, I watched as Micro stepped out of the reach of my hand, walked over to hang his backpack, and entered his new classroom without so much as a glance back to see if I was near him. My littlest dude is quickly becoming a big boy.

It's quite exciting for Mr. Fliz and I to see how far Micro has come in the few short years since his birth. It's been an exciting ride so far, and we're looking forward to all the ups and downs that these next few years will bring, as I know it will provide learning and growth experiences for all of us.

To all fellow parents experiencing the milestone of their kids entering "big kid, real" school today, I congratulate you on a job well done for having them get to this point. It's a magnificent time in their young lives and an eye-opening experience for all of us. I hope you revel in all the new things your child will learn and discover this year. To all you kiddies, you are amazing little beings full of curiosity and eagerness, and I hope you put all this great energy to learning as much as you can about this thrilling world we live in with all these amazing people around you. 

I'm not sure who's more anxious, the kids or parents?

Saying "goodbye" again to her favorite playmate

The Terrific Three's

Happy Happy Birthday to the sunshine in our lives, our little curly-burly sweetheart, Micron. Today marks her becoming a "Big Girl," whose into big girl things...such as purses, dresses, and putting her hair up. Girly things she normally had no interest in before, but it's balanced healthily with a wild child curiosity about the world, playing soccer, watching basketball and football, and wrestling her brother, and somehow, tries to wrestle our dog, too.

Three years ago she entered the world 14 days early and made Mama aware just how powerful her little legs were. Back labor, pre-term labor, and painful kicks in my belly, made it all worth it to meet my littlest angel. 

Micron, you have given Mr. Fliz and I endless laughter and joy. Your bright smile continues to inspire me to be a better Mama. We cannot ever imagine our lives without you, and Micro is so very proud that you are his sister. As you begin preschool, we realize how fast you're growing and how exciting new friends, new experiences, and new places will be for you. We hope you'll continue to be the sunshine girl everyone knows and loves. We love, love, love you sooo very much. Thanks for giving us the privilege to raise such a beautiful little gal.