King of the Castle! : September 2013

Well, we officially have a preschooler on our hands! Seems slightly early at 2.5 years old, but it's a perfect program for Jameson. He doesn't go to daycare during the week and doesn't really get to see other kids much anymore. So, we thought it would be great for him to have a few hours a few days a week where he was with other kids. I was a ball of nerves leading up to the big day because I wasn't sure how he would do. We talked about it for quite a few weeks and even went and visited the classroom. But, because I went with him to visit the classroom, every time we talked about school, he would say, "and you come with me too, Mommy". So, that is what made me nervous. How would he do when I had to leave?? But, I also reminded myself how well he does with people - the kid doesn't know a stranger! So, I just tried to convince myself that all would be just fine!

And...all was just fine! I took him by myself the first Tuesday (September 3). When we got in the classroom, he noticed the dinosaurs and went straight for those. He was so excited about all the toys and didn't really seem to care whether or not I was there! It was approaching 9:00 and I knew I needed to make my exit. So, I gave him a huge hug and said my goodbye...he didn't really seem too affected by that at all, so I was able to leave with no tears from either party! I worried (just a little) the whole 2.5 hours he was there, but when I went to go pick him up, I realized I was being silly for worrying. He came running out of the classroom excitedly squealing "Mommy" and greeted me with a huge hug. The first thing he said was, "it's so good to see you, Mommy". Oddly enough, I had to fight the tears at this point rather than when I dropped him off!! It melted my heart to hear those words.

The whole way home we talked about school and he excitedly told me about the craft and the snack and all the kids. It was awesome and made me so happy to hear that he had a great time. I figured we were good to go at this point. But, then Thursday rolled around and we had a bit different reaction to me leaving this time. Darin and I both dropped him off that day and he completely broke down when we said we had to leave. There were quite a few other kids crying too, so I guess it's a common thing on the second day of school. I felt AWFUL leaving him, but I knew I needed to leave. I gave him a few big hugs and walked out - as soon as I was out of his sight, I lost it. But, I knew he would be just fine, so I left and went back home. It was a painful 2.5 hours because I worried again the whole time. But, when I went to go pick him up, he came running out with glee again and gave me a huge hug. He told me that he "cried just for a little bit because he missed me", but then ended up having a great time. Whew!

Fast forward to the next week and I was nervous yet again because this week we just dropped them off at the door instead of walking them down to the classroom. I had no clue how he would react to having the teacher get him out of the car while I stayed in it. But, he did great! We talked about it the whole way to school and I kept telling him how cool it was going to be when the teacher got him out of the car. He seemed excited - that may be because I may or may not have told him if he was a brave boy at school, we would get some cookies from Janet's on the way home. When I picked him up, he ran to me and hugged me per the usual and all was just fine! So, we stopped and got some cookies on the way home and he got to enjoy the treat for being such a good boy!

Since then, everything has been great. I take him and pick him up on Tuesdays and Darin takes him on his way out of town on Thursdays. When I go back to work, my parents will most likely take care of Tuesdays (I may pick him up because I want to!) and then Darin will drop off Thursdays and I will pick up. I hope the rest of the year goes as well as the first few weeks. He seems to love it and I know he loves the interaction with the kids. And, he loves his teachers....every day after they "release" him, he goes running back in and gives them a huge hug. I love that so much! He is such a sweet kid and I should have known that he would do great! But, what kind of mother would I be if I didn't worry about my baby :)?! I have a feeling that worry will never ever go away - even when he starts his first day of college! But, let's not even think about that right now...

I was trying not to cry while they were reading this the night before!!

Ready for the big day!

Being silly!

We tried pictures here first and it was way too bright!

So we moved to the fence!

On our way! Eating some bacon in the car :).

Love.

Welcome, Jameson!

Hanging up his backpack!

Checking out the posters while waiting in line to wash hands!

Hanging onto Mommy's hand just for a little bit!

And, we found the dinosaurs!

He was sooo happy!

Second day of school!

Already knows the routine!

Showing Daddy the dinosaurs!

Second week of preschool and the kid is a pro already!

Enjoying the cookies after a successful day of school!

Two and a half, whaaaat?! Too much for me to handle - turning two and a half and starting preschool all in one week! But, you have been so excited for school, so that has helped make it less sad for me! It is hard to believe that you are now getting closer to THREE! How in the world did that happen?! Alright, I will pull it together now and get onto the good stuff! We obviously had a crazy month with welcoming a new addition to our family and me being home everyday. Plus, your Grandmas and Ray have been helping out a ton, so you have been pretty spoiled. It's been very hectic, but we have had fun!

At your 2.5 year check up today, you weighed 33 1/4 pounds (90%) and are 37.5 inches (75%). You gained 2 pounds and grew 3 inches in 6 months!! Holy cow! You are a solid little dude, but carry it well. You entertained at your appt. as usual and did great with everything!
You started preschool yesterday and loved it...but that will be a separate post!
You have really done a great job in your new role as Big Brother. It is very apparent that you love her and that she is one lucky little girl to have you looking out for her. We do have to remind you not to touch her face all of the time, but you always just tell us, "it's OK, I just want to pet her". So cute.
You and Daddy have become buddies! Not that you weren't before, but you two have been spending tons of time together since Mommy and Gwendolyn spend so much time together. You two have lots of fun!
We have changed up the night time routine a bit since welcoming your sister and although some nights, you want me to come read to you, you've adjusted well to that too. After Bubble Guppies, Daddy typically brings the books into our bed, so that we can all read together while I hold/feed your sister. Some nights, I will still go read to you in your recliner or Daddy will, but we like this new routine!
Your favorite book right now is definitely Darth Vader and Son. It was one of the presents for the hospital and we have to read it every night. It's a good one!
Your favorite cartoons right now are Dinosaur Train, Land Before Time, Tom and Jerry Kids and Tiny Toons. You of course still love Bubble Guppies and will throw in a Jake or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse here and there.
You love to dance with me and I love it. I know that will definitely not always be the case, so I am enjoying it now. Sometimes during the theme song to Tiny Toons, we will dance goofy and we have a blast!
Speaking of dancing...we were getting ready to go do pictures with Jessica for Gwendolyn's newborn session and I had a white dress on. We were outside and you said, "Mommy, you're a princess! And, I will be the prince and we can dance!". Oh my goodness, how cute are you?!
You now like your pizza with green AND black olives..silly boy!
You like to do "chipmunk cheeks" when you eat your grapes. We both think it's pretty funny!
You are really good about cleaning up your toys now. We have to ask you to do it most times, but you will clean up one mess before making another (usually!). You will sing the Kindermusik "Clean Up Time" song as you are picking up your toys...I love it!
We are starting Kindermusik again - next week (even though Mommy thought it was this week...but we got to have an impromptu play date with Jonah instead!).
This has been written over and over, but you get so many compliments on it, so I have to write it again. But, you are very well mannered with people. You always say thank you and you're welcome and it is so nice to hear! Please sometimes still gets forgotten, but for the most part, you usually say that too.
You have a hard time with goodbyes. Not all of the time - sometimes you are great and other times, it is so hard for you to leave your friends or family! I love that you love being around people, but it breaks my heart sometimes!
You have gotten into dinosaurs again...big time! Gma took you to Target and you came home with two new little dinosaurs that go everywhere with you. I took you to Target the next week to get some school supplies and guess what? You came home with two new dinosaurs :).
Your creativity is definitely not dwindling at all! You constantly take us on new adventures - sometimes when we are driving, we have red pumas and crocodiles chasing us and we have to go faster! You and Daddy also pretend that Hoyt is a white puma and you have to get to a safe spot in the yard so he doesn't get you...you know, since Hoyt is such a huge scary puma :).
You are getting really good at dressing/undressing yourself!
A new fun thing that we like to do now is "bring mommy the food". Your toy kitchen was moved to the dining room, so you take your shopping cart and fill it up and then bring me back the food piece by piece. It keeps you entertained for a long time...this was Gma Kim's idea and it was a good one!

Some Funnies:

"This is ridiculous" - Um, I am pretty sure you picked up that one from Daddy!
"The flowers need to grow up, so let's water them". Smart kid.
"That's enough singing, Mommy. Really."
"You're killing me" - you have heard that one from all of us! You constantly crack us up! You first said it to Gma Debbie and she thought it was hilarious!
"Okie Butt" - yeah, we have no clue what this is or what it means, but you think it's hysterical and say it quite often!
"Stop asking me that question" - this stems from you always asking us if we are happy. After a busy morning with Daddy (park, doctor, hardware store, etc), you came in the door and started saying this. I assume Daddy may have said that to you after the billionth time of you asking if he was happy :).
"I don't think (fill in the blank)". A lot of times when we ask you a question or even just say a statement, you will say this. For example, "I think baby Gwendolyn is sleepy"...your response: "I don't think she is". "The sky is blue, Jameson."...your response, "I don't think it is". It's pretty funny.
"You just have to have patience, Ray". Ha...pretty sure you've caught on when we have said this to you!
Daddy: "Jameson, is Mommy funny?" Jameson: "No Daddy, I don't think so. I think she is pretty." Nice recovery, son!
"It's OK, there is no need to cry". We tell you and Gwendolyn this a lot...we have to remind you sometimes that you have to use your words and that there is no need to cry! Now, when other people are crying, you will say this to them!
When we tell you to do something or if you accidentally (or purposely) do something you shouldn't, you will respond immediately with, "that's OK". For example, you dump a huge container of toys everywhere and we say, "Jameson, you don't need to dump it out all over". Your instant response is "that's OK, Mommy. I just want to play". Or another example: you pinched my toe with your toy pliers and I squealed and your quick response was "that's OK, Mommy". Sure, all is OK for you, stinker!
Probably one of my favorites right now - "got for". Yes, you mean forgot. For some reason, you always say it backwards! "Oh no Mommy, we got for my toys upstairs". Too funny!
"I think you're sweet, Daddy". Aww.

Silly videos:

http://youtu.be/hcIxOdLIA-8: Being a good big brother!
http://youtu.be/o3LYTpy0Pq0: You were rocking out hard core, but I didn't catch it until the end. But, in true rockstar fashion, you threw down your guitar at the end!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va1i39IPLEg: Your facial expressions in this are hysterical! I was trying to get you saying, "oh, that's so silly", but this was perfect!

Happy Half Birthday to my favorite little boy. Every day is an adventure with you and every day, my heart grows with more love. I am one lucky Mom!