Two years have rolled by without many changes in my son's life. His development halted to a crawl, slowly passing milestones, and he continued to follow his sister's every move the way a shadow would mimic. He didn't stand out in the house, he was quiet, shy, and content taking a back seat to his sister's flamboyant personality. However, over these past few months, he has made leaps and bounds with progression. He has transformed from a baby into this beautiful, individual, little boy.
My son, now 27 months, is 100% appeased with saying no to sister. With a quiet background, my son would follow his sister's orders, doing as she stated. Now, that quiet background is filled with my daughter stating something and my son replying, "no <insert her name>, me do!" or, "no, play this." Of course, my daughter had a hard time deciphering this new person. She was used to the old one, the one we have grown to expect for the past 2 years.
Like us, she quickly and happily became adjusted.
This newer, maturer, little boy has opened doors in our lives. He no longer is an obstruction in my daughters way, he is equal to her, he is her friend.
Before, with his lack of vocabulary and his inability to vocalize what he wanted, she viewed him as a baby. She figured there wasn't any way this boy could be fun.
She quickly learned otherwise.
Once lonely days that were spent playing by herself are now encapsulated with memories being built with her brother.
He talks (so much more), he's incredibly lovable, and thoughtful just like his sister -they both would give anyone their last piece of food if someone else needed it. When he isn't playing with his cars, he can be found conjuring up trouble with his big sister, but this time, he's a helping hand with instigating the chaos.
Right now, his personality is rivaling his sister's boisterous one -With his talkative nature, comical jokes, and stage performances.
They've moved on from a one sided relationship to an engaging one.
Recently, I'm not the main focus of their lives anymore. I find myself with more time to finish my cup of coffee, instead of being asked 500 questions, or pleaded to do something fun. After breakfast, they quickly leave the table to play in their playroom. From there, while I clean up, I can hear their imaginations blooming and their interactions escalating. They pretend with their toys, or they pretend with each other. And sometimes, they can be found sitting shoulder to shoulder, with my daughter reading my son a book. Or, my daughter teaching him new preschool lessons on her Kindle.
They love to be outdoors, partaking on vast adventures or hiking trips in our backyard. They explore and find treasures everywhere their imaginations will allow. They swing on the swing set for hours, while my daughter sometimes coaxes him into American Ninja Warrior obstacles.
He was excited for her when she learned to push herself on the swing and she was excited for him when he was able to swim across the pool himself.
He cheered the loudest when my daughter hit the ball or made a play in t-ball and she is delighted when he generates a new sentence.
The best part is, she is one of his biggest supporter, as he is hers.
At nighttime, I could listen for hours from the monitor, as I hear my son sneak into his sister's room and talk about the day. She invites him in her bed to watch My Little Pony: Equestria Girls on her Kindle and he kindly obliges. Sometimes I hear, "no more ponies peas" from my son, but that is a rare occurrence. By the time I enter the room, they're both fast asleep and closely snuggled next to each other, with Equestria Girls still playing softly in the night.
The once quiet house is now filled with laughter, conversations, story telling, imaginary play, and sometimes, arguing. Memories are being documented in time right before my eyes. Each photo taken of both children will forever be saved for the future. When they sit down to flip through an old photo album to reminiscence some of their favorite times, these will be the moments they remember. These days will be the most recounted... Because, these are their happy days.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Preschool is officially over... And I'm grateful to her wonderful school.
It all started 8 months ago, on a warm fall day. My daughter anxiously donned her favorite outfit and pulled her new princess backpack on her back. She was ready to go. I, nervously, took too many photos before we piled into our car to drive off to her first day of preschool.
Upon arrival, she excitedly ran to meet her friends on the front grass. All us parents talked about our expectations and our fears, while the children enjoyed playing tag.
The double doors opened...
We walked inside.
At this point, my daughter didn't know what to expect. At 4 years old, she has never been anywhere without me (other than with my parents on some rare days). I was there to help her through difficult situations, or calm her worries, fears, and anything she needed. I was her rock.
She said her goodbyes with grace and ease.
...It would appear I was more nervous than she was.
The next few days went wonderfully. She was excited and in complete aww of the idea of school.
After those few days passed, the novelty was wearing thin and she started to become more weary. She broke down and didn't want to return to school.
Sadly, she still loved the idea of school and wanted to continue, just wanted me nearby.
Being the type of parent that I was/am, there wasn't any way I was going to force my daughter to return to a situation that wasn't mandatory and made her feel this insecure. So, I devised a plan with the staff, who were absolutely wonderful and beyond helpful, to allow her the room to become secure within her environment again.
Within a month, she was back on track.
...Without a hiccup.
She was back to playing tag on that front grass again.
Fast forward 8 months later, that same walkway where she was hesitant and uneasy, she hopped and skipped her way through those double doors to her final day. She gathered with her friends and they held hands before her goodbyes, saying, "I'll see you later alligator."
Then she walked out with her class to the stage and sang her farewell songs without any hesitation or tears.
This little girl started off as a secure child within her home environment, to then be placed into a situation that wasn't familiar and created doubt. I am grateful that the preschool she attended allowed me the room to recreate an environment that worked for her, otherwise, she wouldn't have ever returned and felt the grandiose moment she experienced on graduation day.
She not only accomplished something great, she created great memories. She made friends, had parties, was invited to parties, had parades, concerts, and a great education. She also learned how to cope on her own, without mommy, and that is a lesson that will prove to be beneficial for years to come.
On the final day, her teachers gave her congratulations and commended her outstanding growth over the school year. Her teacher said she would do beautifully in kindergarten and wished her the best of luck.
My daughter felt proud and she held an ear to ear smile for the entire day.
I owe a lot to that preschool, because they were the ones who set the foundation for my daughter's future school experiences. If I would have been a parent with a sink or swim mentality, yes she would have attended school, but it wouldn't have been on her terms with a secure environment. It would have been beyond stressful, with lots of crying and agitation. Then, I believe, she would have continued to have off days and regrets. However, once my daughter was back on track, I never heard her say she didn't want to go to school. In fact, she complained that school was only 3 days a week.
When she looks back upon her days, she'll think of all the fun she had with her friends and learning... She won't think of stress and anxiety that would have been created, had she been forced to be dropped off and cry until she couldn't cry anymore.
Now, she is incredibly eager to attend kindergarten and I believe she'll do wonderfully, mainly, because she had such an amazing preschool experience.
Upon arrival, she excitedly ran to meet her friends on the front grass. All us parents talked about our expectations and our fears, while the children enjoyed playing tag.
The double doors opened...
We walked inside.
At this point, my daughter didn't know what to expect. At 4 years old, she has never been anywhere without me (other than with my parents on some rare days). I was there to help her through difficult situations, or calm her worries, fears, and anything she needed. I was her rock.
She said her goodbyes with grace and ease.
...It would appear I was more nervous than she was.
The next few days went wonderfully. She was excited and in complete aww of the idea of school.
After those few days passed, the novelty was wearing thin and she started to become more weary. She broke down and didn't want to return to school.
Sadly, she still loved the idea of school and wanted to continue, just wanted me nearby.
Being the type of parent that I was/am, there wasn't any way I was going to force my daughter to return to a situation that wasn't mandatory and made her feel this insecure. So, I devised a plan with the staff, who were absolutely wonderful and beyond helpful, to allow her the room to become secure within her environment again.
Within a month, she was back on track.
...Without a hiccup.
She was back to playing tag on that front grass again.
Fast forward 8 months later, that same walkway where she was hesitant and uneasy, she hopped and skipped her way through those double doors to her final day. She gathered with her friends and they held hands before her goodbyes, saying, "I'll see you later alligator."
Then she walked out with her class to the stage and sang her farewell songs without any hesitation or tears.
This little girl started off as a secure child within her home environment, to then be placed into a situation that wasn't familiar and created doubt. I am grateful that the preschool she attended allowed me the room to recreate an environment that worked for her, otherwise, she wouldn't have ever returned and felt the grandiose moment she experienced on graduation day.
She not only accomplished something great, she created great memories. She made friends, had parties, was invited to parties, had parades, concerts, and a great education. She also learned how to cope on her own, without mommy, and that is a lesson that will prove to be beneficial for years to come.
On the final day, her teachers gave her congratulations and commended her outstanding growth over the school year. Her teacher said she would do beautifully in kindergarten and wished her the best of luck.
My daughter felt proud and she held an ear to ear smile for the entire day.
I owe a lot to that preschool, because they were the ones who set the foundation for my daughter's future school experiences. If I would have been a parent with a sink or swim mentality, yes she would have attended school, but it wouldn't have been on her terms with a secure environment. It would have been beyond stressful, with lots of crying and agitation. Then, I believe, she would have continued to have off days and regrets. However, once my daughter was back on track, I never heard her say she didn't want to go to school. In fact, she complained that school was only 3 days a week.
When she looks back upon her days, she'll think of all the fun she had with her friends and learning... She won't think of stress and anxiety that would have been created, had she been forced to be dropped off and cry until she couldn't cry anymore.
Now, she is incredibly eager to attend kindergarten and I believe she'll do wonderfully, mainly, because she had such an amazing preschool experience.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Mid Week Revelation: Parenting 101 from a 4.5 year old
Parenting 101 from my 4.5 year old daughter's perspective...
"Mommy, I can't wait to be a parent, and when I'm a parent, I'll let my children do whatever they want. I won't be like you, I'll give in every time they want something. If they want to go to ToysRus everyday, I'll take them. I'll be cool."
"Mommy, I can't wait to be a parent, and when I'm a parent, I'll let my children do whatever they want. I won't be like you, I'll give in every time they want something. If they want to go to ToysRus everyday, I'll take them. I'll be cool."
Sunday, May 10, 2015
I was mom
4.5 years ago, my life was changed forever. One minute, I was riding high on a life I was so familiar with. A life that I had grown to know and expect. Then, so quickly, it felt like I was engulfed in a life that was so unfamiliar, it was scary.
However, the moment my daughter was placed into my arms, was the first time my heart began beating. I felt a new life form right in front of my eyes, and without hesitation, my past life wasn't any more. The new scene wasn't so scary and all those years of repetitious familiarity, was nothing compared to that moment.
The moment where I became mom...
...A person I wasn't familiar with, but happily became adjusted to.
The sleepless nights, the colicky fits, and the difficulty eating... Nothing could take that image from me.
I was mom.
These past years have been amazing. The most wonderful journey I have ever embarked on. She is unbelievably funny, thoughtful, and loving. She's bright, quick witted, and contains an old soul. She has made this unfamiliar new life, completely familiar.
At that point, I never thought this new life could get any greater...
...That is, until my son was placed into my arms.
Once again, I felt my life change in front of my eyes. Even though I was already a seasoned parent, I became a new parent all the same. Although, this time, I had to battle with the thought of, How do I have enough love for two children?
He made it simple.
She made it simple.
When I thought my heart was at maximum capacity and couldn't hold an ounce more, it expanded... It expanded as much as I needed. There wasn't a skip in love, not even a hiccup. Life unfolded just as it was supposed to.
This new little boy that was before me was marvelous. He is sensitive, loving, imaginative, and quite comical. He doesn't have a tough bone in his body, only love. Also, he could win an award for the love he has for his sister. Sometimes, I think he loves her, more than he loves breathing.
These two wonderful creatures have completed my life, a life I didn't even know I was missing out on. They are wonderful beings that provide more joyous experiences than I ever had in my life. Watching them grow and develop into their own person has been such a privilege.
They have made this unfamiliar life, anything but unfamiliar.
I felt like I was born to be this...
Their mom.
However, the moment my daughter was placed into my arms, was the first time my heart began beating. I felt a new life form right in front of my eyes, and without hesitation, my past life wasn't any more. The new scene wasn't so scary and all those years of repetitious familiarity, was nothing compared to that moment.
The moment where I became mom...
...A person I wasn't familiar with, but happily became adjusted to.
The sleepless nights, the colicky fits, and the difficulty eating... Nothing could take that image from me.
I was mom.
These past years have been amazing. The most wonderful journey I have ever embarked on. She is unbelievably funny, thoughtful, and loving. She's bright, quick witted, and contains an old soul. She has made this unfamiliar new life, completely familiar.
At that point, I never thought this new life could get any greater...
...That is, until my son was placed into my arms.
Once again, I felt my life change in front of my eyes. Even though I was already a seasoned parent, I became a new parent all the same. Although, this time, I had to battle with the thought of, How do I have enough love for two children?
He made it simple.
She made it simple.
When I thought my heart was at maximum capacity and couldn't hold an ounce more, it expanded... It expanded as much as I needed. There wasn't a skip in love, not even a hiccup. Life unfolded just as it was supposed to.
This new little boy that was before me was marvelous. He is sensitive, loving, imaginative, and quite comical. He doesn't have a tough bone in his body, only love. Also, he could win an award for the love he has for his sister. Sometimes, I think he loves her, more than he loves breathing.
These two wonderful creatures have completed my life, a life I didn't even know I was missing out on. They are wonderful beings that provide more joyous experiences than I ever had in my life. Watching them grow and develop into their own person has been such a privilege.
They have made this unfamiliar life, anything but unfamiliar.
I felt like I was born to be this...
Their mom.
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