preschool?!?!

E with her new backpack and Sebastian the crab (who came along for the ride).

It wasn't supposed to happen until next fall.  But upon touring a preschool, we found out they had an opening left in their lower campus for kids 2-3 years old.  And after seeing Ella light up at all the activities the school had to offer, we decided to enroll her.

So now, I am a parent to a preschooler.  How did we get here so soon?  I'm completely not ready and am pretty emotional about this, despite the fact that it's only twice a week for 2 1/2 hours each day.  But I've never left her in the care of anyone besides our immediate family.  So I'm a wreck about it, but trying to stay upbeat and cheerful so that Ella doesn't pick up on my anxiety.

This post is late in coming because we left for a trip to Seattle the day after her first day.  I decided to stay with her during that day because we would be gone another week before her next class, and I wasn't ready for the tearful separation.  I thought she did pretty well, and started to feel like I could just drop her off next time, until we moved rooms to start other activities and she refused to go without me.  I realized I was going to have to take a different approach, but the idea of her crying for me in the presence of strangers is too hard for me to swallow.  I think I'll have to do a slow ease vs. ripping the bandaid off, but who knows.  I can never say never when it comes to parenting, and a week from now I might be talking about how I walked out the door leaving a bawling child behind.

Parenting sucks sometimes.

But then I think about all the growing she'll do at school, and from being independent from me.  Ella is a timid child and incredibly shy around strangers.  With family and friends she's an outgoing ham.  But she's quiet and an observer--much like I was as a child.  So I sympathize with her.  And I try not to project my insecurities and my childhood struggles onto her.  She is her own person.  She will learn to carve her own way.  She will be okay.

It still doesn't make the prospect of her crying easier for me to digest.  And it hasn't even come to that yet.

While staying with her at school I immediately started to judge the other kids.  I mentally willed her to befriend the "nice" kids, you know, the quieter ones that were like her.  I quickly dismissed the loud little girl who started to climb the bookcase and boss people around.  And the little boy who hissed at other children who came too close to him and stomped around taking things just sent me into mama bear mode.  But I know that while I can fight Ella's battles now, I won't be able to do it later.  It might just be about a plastic cupcake or a tonka truck right now, but eventually the battles with become bigger and more significant.  I know I need to prepare my child for the road ahead and not the road for my child.  For her sake, I need to step back and trust in her.

Again, parenting sucks sometimes.

But tonight at dinner, out of nowhere, E says that she likes preschool.  And I hope she really means it.  Because this is a journey we have committed to.  And this is a journey that will challenge us and change us.  Not to sound melodramatic or anything; it's just that I thought I had another year to come to terms with the fact that my little baby girl really isn't a baby anymore.  Yep, and this is just preschool.  I'm in for quite a ride...

Month Six

Six Months Old!

Your big half-year birthday happened on your first trip--a family vacation to Hawaii.  Which means you also experienced your first plane ride(s).  You did swimmingly and slept through most of the flights.  You also attended your second wedding, staying up late and partying with the grown ups.  You also witnessed your first tropical storm (not impressed).  You love napping pool side, with the sound of the ocean waves in the background.  Most of all, you love sleeping in bed with us (a habit we are now trying to break) throughout the trip, reaching and grabbing for our arms to snuggle with.

At six months you're 26" long and weigh 16 lbs. 2 oz.  You've started solids (you love butternut squash and carrots, and feeding yourself mum mums).  You're still developing a taste for food, and it's pretty cute how you absolutely refuse to eat peas (you seal your mouth shut).  You are sitting up very well now, and starting to really reach for and play with your toys. Your favorite past time is definitely chewing on something (anything) that you can put in your mouth--fingers, teethers, Sophie the Giraffe, your foot, Mommy's face.  You roll every which way, but prefer to sit than be on your tummy.  You're also growing more and more vocal by the day.  You love to yelp, shout and shriek.  While you'll start to fuss to get into Mommy's arms, you are still very social and will offer smiles to strangers and friends alike.  You smile so willingly and generously; your joy is infectious  You've also discovered your love of standing.  You can sort of stand on your own while holding onto something, and you grin ear to ear with your new sense of independence.  

You are a strong little fellow, grabbing anything in sight (making holding you during meals quite challenging).  You delight in your sister even more now, and laugh out loud when she plays with you.  Your favorite game is the both of pretending to "ride your bicycle" around the kitchen island.  You love that slow build up before we run fast!  You also appreciate your alone time, playing in your jumper or lying on the floor with a teether in hand.  We've been trying to read books to you, but you prefer to eat them.  You still love a good song and game of peek-a-boo.  You still love viewing the world from the baby carrier, and you've become pretty easy going about napping anywhere (thankfully since our routines have been changing so much lately).  You are still the snuggly and cuddly little boy I love and adore.  And I can't wait to see you hit many more milestones throughout the rest of your first year.  

Beating the Heat & Independence Day

We've been having some pretty hot summer weather here lately.  And while I'm used to the dry heat, I'm not a fan of the humidity we've been experiencing.  Needless to say, we've spent a lot more time at home (rather than lugging two kids around in the hot sun), and have been looking for ways to keep cool and have fun.  Enter Ella's birthday gift--a flower sprinkler head--that she loves splashing in.  Gavin is just happy to be outside and look at the trees.

Hanging out in the shade, G was all smiles. 

Ella loved filling her buckets with water and trying to splash anyone who got close to her.

Learning to enjoy tummy time more.

If you position him just right, Gavin can sit up on his own for a few seconds.  I'm definitely excited for him to hit this new milestone.

Sometimes, it's just better to have a picnic indoors.

Adam had two days off for the Fourth of July, so we definitely enjoyed the long weekend, just taking it easy at home.  We've had some busy weekends, so we were more than happy to just relax a bit.  On Thursday we had our families over for a casual BBQ.  The rest of the weekend was spent playing in the sprinklers, splashing in the pool, and watching a movie and eating popcorn.

Friday night we had an early dinner followed by a temporary power outage so we decided to make s'mores in our backyard.  It was a perfect summer evening, and Ella got to eat her first s'more (minus the chocolate).  She loved the marshmallow gooeyness and loved doing the hokey pokey as a result of the sugar high.

Gavin also got his first taste of "solids" over the weekend.  He's been expressing a lot of interest in our food, and grabs at anything he can while we eat at the table.  So I decided to give him some multi-grain cereal mixed with breast milk.  He took a few bites and was intrigued by the spoon.  But our biggest challenge was his constant attempts to grab the spoon causing cereal to spill everywhere.  He's had a few more feedings, but he's also been fussier than usual these past few days, so I might put off pursuing solids for a little while longer.

Ella got to watch the Winnie the Pooh movie and Gavin snuck a peak in while I was trying to get a photo of the two of them.

month five

You're Five Months, Gavin!

During this fifth month, your personality has started to really shine through as you are growing bigger by the day.  You weigh a little over 15 lbs now and turning into quite the handsome little man.  You love smiling at us in the morning when you wake up, followed by crying because you're hungry and want to eat! right! now!  You're sleeping through the night (usually a nine hour stretch) in your crib in your own room 50% of the time.  The other 50% of the time, you'll wake up in the early morning in search of your pacifier.  Sometimes it's just easier to bring you into bed with us, where you'll clock another three to four hours.  You still find so much comfort holding our hands as you sleep, and I can't resist your sign of affection.

You are starting to enjoy tummy time more, spending a lot more time playing on the floor.  You have a new interest in toys, and love putting everything in your mouth.  You think your sister is pretty amusing, especially when she plays peek-a-boo with you or sing-songs "hi gaaaaaaavin."  She truly loves you and is always more than happy to bring you a toy, or smother you with kisses and hand-holding.  She especially likes to point out your "nose-nose-nose."

You're learning to sit up more, enjoying jumping up and down, and soaring through the air.  Your favorite game is chasing Ella around the kitchen island while we sing the bicycle song.  "The Itsy Bitsy Spider, "Patty Cake," and "Open Them Shut Them" still bring you such delight, as does your daddy's voice and smiles.  You took your first dip in the pool, and love being a lounge lizard outside.  You attended your first big event, our cousin's wedding, and while you were extremely tired, you refused to sleep in fear of missing out on the festivities.  You'll generally smile at any friendly face, and are quite social and talkative these days.  You're kicking and grabbing, and you discovered your feet.  Best of all, you're starting to hold on to us when we carry you, and your little hugs will never cease to melt my heart.

ella + OLIVIA

Ella started watching a lot more TV (than I would have liked) once Gavin came along.  But thankfully, she fell in love with a show that we could all embrace.  Every day she would ask to watch "lie" (or Olivia) after her nap, and with a newborn baby that needed to be nursed and cared for, I happily obliged.  So it only felt fitting to throw her an Olivia-themed birthday party.  We decided to stick with the book version (which she loves just as much), and designed the party around a black and white theme with red accents.  We asked the guests to wear neutral colors, so Ella could pop in red as the birthday girl.  We also served red food, and decorated with balloons in the same color scheme.  And of course, there was a (makeshift) photo booth with pig ears and snouts along with other fun accessories for guests to partake in.  I had initially planned for something small, but with 40+ guests, Ella's birthday celebration became quite an event.  And we enjoyed every minute of it.  (Thank you, to Auntie Ashley, for all your help!)

I decided a hand-drawn invitation would set the right move.  Ashley did an awesome job sketching Olivia.  We colored in her dress red before sending them out.

It took a few weeks to finish all the details and preparations for the party.  I was super excited to find the red and white washi tape on sale, and the mason jar and straws were from Etsy.  The polka dot wrapping paper were the perfect splash of red; these wrapped up Olivia books as favors for the kids.

She turned two and suddenly sprouted an attitude.

The guests sipped watermelon frescas out of personalized mason jars.  I love how vintage hollywood Ella looks in this picture.

The favors.  My "balloon wall" didn't come out as planned, but they were cute nonetheless.

Inspired by an idea I saw on pinterest, I made Ella a board summarizing her at this age.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to include her height and weight. 

Madelyn and Alexa checking out the photo station with Olivia.

All the kids got goodie bags with some activities they could do during the party (in lieu of planned entertainment or a bouncy house).  Ella loved her sidewalk chalk.  And yes, we had Olivia tattoos for the kids.  Ella chose a half-sleeve.

Actually all the kids enjoyed the chalk.  By the end of the day, our backyard was pretty well decorated.

More chalking.

Our lovely guests dressed in black and white.

Gabe got in on the pig action.

These two became fast friends.

I love color coordination! 

You can't serve red food and not have Jell-O!  

After being introduced to it a couple months ago at birthday party, Ella loves her jello-jello (as she calls it). 

She also loves balloons.

Ashley had the idea to make giant clouds to give the backyard a storybook feel.  Apparently, Kathie found them delicious.

Ella with her puo-puo and gong-gong.

Peek-a-boo with Olivia. 

Ella was on cloud nine.  Sorta.

Taking Olivia for a ride.  Ashley drew a life-size version for the photo station.

Lounging as the party winded down.

Piggy fun.

E had so much fun running around, I barely got to see her.  Here's a rare moment we got together at the end of the party.

And now, photo booth fun!  Ashley made the adorable pig ears and snouts.  I made the banner and supplied the red accessories.

Not a fan of being the center of attention in large groups, Ella did not enjoy the cake part.  I mean, she enjoyed the cake, but not the singing.  We'll have to work on that.

Taste testing her red velvet cake.

Not impressed by the rendition of "Happy Birthday"

Waiting for it to end.

At least the cake was worth it!

Despite the warm weather and all-around craziness of hosting a toddler birthday party, we all enjoyed ourselves.  Most of all, Ella had a blast and it was the perfect celebration in honor of this little person that she's growing into.