In dropping off Dillen this morning, Mrs. Emert (her teacher) stopped me and said she had to share a story with me. Yesterday, all of the children were asked what their dads did for a living. Dillen's answer: "He shoots people." I guess this took Mrs. Emert completely by surprise since she didn't know that Sean is a photographer and, after a puzzled pause, asked Dillen if he was a hunter. Dillen laughed and said, "No, no, no... he shoots weddings! He's a photographer!!"

An aid came up to me this morning as well, and said she's been volunteering in Mrs. Emert's class and wanted to meet me. She said that she was very impressed with Dillen who is always the first one to raise her hand when a question is asked and she always knows the answers... umm... teacher's pet, anyone? Oh, yes. Dillen is following in my footsteps. Lol.

Posted by Rebecca at 10:02 AM | Permalink

Dillen loves school. She loves her teacher, she loves her new friends and she loves the activities she gets to do throughout the day. One ritual we always do at bedtime is tell each other what our favorite part of the day was. The girls enjoy this so much they never let me forget to ask them. Dillen's answer every day since Tuesday has been "school" with a giggle. I have learned I now need to then ask her, what part of school was her favorite. Tonight's answer was "making the monkey." It turns out all of the kids are making cut out monkeys to hang from the ceiling. She withholds information from me like she's got something so special she needs to share in tidbits. When we pick her up from school, she is never quick to tell us what she did that day. She is still bouncy and has a big smile when we see her walking in the line to the black top and when we ask how school was it's been a resounding "GOOD!" each time. But when asked what she did that day, she smiles and says, "I'm not ready to tell you." Then, throughout the day, she has 'giddy moments' where she says, "I want to tell you something that happened in school today!" and then she shares a great little story about her new best friend Peyton; about how she forgot to pull her snack bag out and instead started eating her lunch too early but then stopped; about how she has already earned two tickets for good behavior and that she hasn't received any blue tickets for bad behavior; how the fan in the bathroom and the automatic flush don't scare her; how she wants to have new sneakers so she can run faster on the playground; how she can now read her entire Bobo book by herself; how she tells the teacher she needs to go to the bathroom (by raising her thumb), if she needs a drink of water (by raising her pointer finger) and how she tells the teacher she didn't really like the activity they did (by raising her pinky - though she quickly said that she hasn't raised her pinky yet).

So. Dillen likes school.

I asked her teacher yesterday at pick up how she was doing and her teacher got close to me and said, "She's doing very well. She excels. Today, when I called her name she jumped up immediately and asked 'Yes Ma'am?' I told her that though I appreciate her good manners, she does not have to stand when addressed nor does she need to call me Ma'am!" We both laughed and I explained that Dillen has been taking karate for quite some time and is showing her the respect that her karate instructor expects.

Sean took Dillen to school today and said that when she got to the doorway she bowed in (like she does prior to walking in or leaving the karate studio). When Dillen overheard Sean saying this she said, "I do that now every time I walk into the classroom. I love it that much!"

Me?

Well, I'm not loving school yet. Of course I don't tell her this. I am so happy she is enjoying it and wants to go back "day after day" and that she wants to "stay in Kindergarten for the rest of her life." But I miss her. Terribly. I get her home around 3PM and she goest to bed by 7PM. That's only four hours with my sweet girl... it's not enough. I feel like I am missing out - that someone else is getting to enjoy everything about her that I love and adore. I hate missing out on watching her learn and grow and not being able to listen to her answers and her thought process during the day. I want to be there.

Today was no easier then the first day.

Roxy is hanging in there. We keep each other busy but I can see that she misses her sister during the day, too. She's stopped asking where Dillen is and instead just asks, "Dillen's still in school?" And I respond by looking at the clock and telling her how much longer before we get to pick her up. It will be different for Roxy when Piper arrives and then when we can enroll her in classes of her own (most of which she needs to be 3 - dance, gymnastics, art).

But, for now, Roxy and I are baby stepping through the day and trying to adjust to the first of many transitions coming our way.

Posted by Rebecca at 7:35 PM | Permalink

...well, we both did. Dillen had a great day at school today. We arrived early to allow her some time to play on the play ground with Roxy and her friends. When the line-up bell rang, we all walked to the 16 painted on the black top representing her classroom number. It was at this moment that the excited, "I won't miss you mom," so ready for Kindergarten daughter of mine almost lost it. I will admit, it was chaotic. The noise alone from all of the children and their parents was overwhelming. The confusion and anxiousness started to take over and Dillen clung to me. She looked up and said, "Mom... I'm a little scared." My heart dropped and so did I to my knees. I gave her a HUGE hug and said it was normal to be a little nervous or scared since it was the first day and she didn't know what to expect. But I told her to trust me that all would be fine once she made it into the classroom and that she would have a ton of fun that day. She held my hand tight as the teacher led the line of children to her classroom. The first direction given to them that day was to put their back packs on the rack outside and then to say goodbye to their parents and go sit down on the floor in the classroom. Dillen hesitated but then let go of my hand and put her back pack on the rack. She gave me one last worried look and walked into the classroom where she quickly took a seat on the floor. She never looked back.

School starts at 8:35AM.

School ends at 2:43PM.

That is a long day...

And since Dillen never went to pre-school, these hours away from her were very difficult for me. I am used to having her with me during the day - to be her main influence, nurturer and teacher. I feel like that role has been yanked out from underneath me. Don't get me wrong, I understand the importance of going to school and remember my elementary school years fondly. But, as her mom, I missed her terribly today. Roxy survived but I think felt the loss as well.

A friend of mine whose daughter also started Kindergarten today called me about 1/2 way through the day and asked, "How are you doing?" I sighed and said, "I wish I knew how she was doing... I miss her." And she quickly said, "She's fine! She's doing great. I just spied on Gabrielle and saw Dillen skipping and holding hands with a new friend on the play ground." I had to laugh at my friend for doing what we all wanted to do. And then I smiled at the vision of Dillen having so much fun. It did ease some of the worry and loss I was feeling.

When we went to pick her up, she was grinning from ear to ear. She was walking confidently and with a spring in her step. Her pony tails were swinging. When she spotted us, her face lit up. She wanted to run over but managed to hold her excitement and stayed in line with her teacher until she reached the same painted #16 on the black top. Once there, she came running over for one of the biggest hugs we've exchanged in a long time. I can't tell you the rush of emotions I felt in that hug.

It's interesting. Now that the first day is over, is that supposed to make the second any more easy? Am I supposed to miss her less tomorrow? Am I supposed to worry less? Should her walking away in the teacher's line bring less anxiety?

Only time will tell...

Getting her back...

Posted by Rebecca at 11:04 PM | Permalink

FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

Dillen's first day of Kindergarten is TOMORROW! She went in today to meet with her teacher (whom we adore) for about 45 minutes. This was a screening process all of the kids go through so the teacher can assess their individual levels of basic number and letter understanding. She also was asked to draw a self portrait. An assistant brought her back to me so there was no discussion with the teacher as to how she did. But Dillen was super excited about it and couldn't stop telling me how much she can't wait to go back for her first day tomorrow. I've already packed her lunch and will let her pick out her outfit in the morning. Sean, Roxy and I will all take her tomorrow to make her morning even more special and to wish her a VERY special first day of school. :)

BABY SHOWER

On Saturday, my most excellent best FRENEMY (Alexa Young) and my mom gave me a fantastic baby shower held here at my house. It was a very nice turn out of family and local friends. Alexa drove all the way down from Los Angeles and my mom came from Reche Canyon - not a short distance for either of them. And within an hour they turned my house into a pink fluff of wonderfulness. :) It was a morning celebration so there were muffins, bagels, danishes fruit, juices and a coffee box from Starbucks. Alexa planned two awesome games. One was "break the water" where small babies were frozen in ice cubes. Everyone received one and whomever released the baby from the ice cube first was the winner. My step mom hurried outside and began stomping on hers. It was the funniest thing I've seen in a long while. She came in within 20 seconds and announced "The baby has been released!" Too funny. Alexa also had a great craft for everyone - Paint a Onesie. :) Who knew I had such talented and creative friends? Seriously, I have many hand painted onesies now for Piper that are very special. Sean brought the girls home a little early so they could help me open gifts and I made Sean choose his favorite onesie. Teri's reverse "spank me" design won the prize. Dillen and Roxy thoroughly enjoyed unwrapping everything and all of the gifts were so appreciated. Piper should be very comfortable when she arrives. And Alexa brought some very yummy (and adorably decorated) cookies as take home gifts. It was such a special and fun morning... a memorable celebration welcoming Piper into our world with open arms.

Posted by Rebecca at 9:02 PM | Permalink

See? I AM hippo huge. :)

7 weeks and 2 full days left to go... and just one baby. Really.

Posted by Rebecca at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I had an appointment today with my OB/GYN. I seriously was expecting her say one of the following:

"You've gained too much weight."
"You are so swollen, we need to make sure you don't have edema."
"Your heart rate is too high, we need to run some more tests."
"You're walking funny. Let me check your alignment."
"You look like you are carrying triplets. Let's do an ultrasound today just to be sure there is still only one baby."

But, fortunately, I was given a 100% thumbs up that all is well. My blood pressure was good; my weight is spot-on to where I was with both Dillen and Roxy at this point; my belly measurement is normal; and my urine sample came back without any concerns. She even did an ultrasound to check my cervix which she told me is holding well and nothing to be concerned about.

Piper is also doing very well! Her heart rate was strong and she is growing normally. The big bump always pushing at my belly button is not her rump like I thought, but her head! So, it's been her feet that have been kicking my bladder and her arms that have been stretching up to my lungs taking my breath away. Again, my doctor showed no concerns saying that it won't matter if she turns or not since I am scheduled to have another C Section.

7 weeks and 2 full days left... I cannot wait to hold her!!!

Posted by Rebecca at 10:44 PM | Permalink

We took Dillen shopping this past weekend for a new Kindergarten wardrobe. She has really sprouted this summer and is much taller then she was even 3 months ago. We hit The Gap and took advantage of their end-of-summer sales. She wound up with some really cute items...

We are about to enter the last flurry of Kindergarten readiness:

Wednesday night: Parent orientation
Thursday: Kindergarten play group at the school
Friday: Mini open house where Dillen will get to meet her teacher for the first time
Monday: Kindergarten screening where Dillen will get to work with her teacher and a chosen group from her classroom for about an hour
Tuesday: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

She's growing up.

Meanwhile...

I am growing OUT. And my milk came in today. 7 weeks and 3 full days left to go. :)

Posted by Rebecca at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Or rather DIDN'T do it! Roxy has been potty trained for a few months now but we have still kept her in a night time diaper. Recently, she started complaining that she wasn't a baby anymore and didn't want to have to wear a diaper at night. I went ahead and just said, "Oh! Well, that's not really a diaper. It's more like nighttime panties." This seemed to work for a few nights until she complained again and said, "No. These not nighttime panties. These diapers. See??" as she showed me the details of the diaper. I laughed and couldn't disagree. They are very much a diaper and she's no dummy.

So, last night we went ahead and had a little talk. I told her the importance of trying not to have an accident in bed and she just said, "I know!" I had Sean put a pair of panties and long pants on her to absorb a bit of trickle (or more) if she did have an accident and laid her on a towel. We do have a mattress protector on her bed but a 3AM full sheet change just didn't sound like fun.

At 1AM, she woke up and came out to see me (I'm not sleeping these days) and said she had to go to the bathroom. Sure enough, she was dry and peed like a race horse on the toilet.

YAY!

One night down...

Posted by Rebecca at 9:32 AM | Permalink

Posted by Rebecca at 9:34 PM | Permalink

I was at CVS Pharmacy this morning and saw a Slip N' Slide for only $8. The girls and I had so much fun in the kiddie pool yesterday (beating the heat) and I knew when I got home they were in store for some more back yard cooling-off fun. I wasn't sure if we'd have enough room for the slide but remembered the fun I had when I was a kid sliding down that big yellow slippery mat. So, I took a chance and bought it. Sean's eyes lit up when he saw it (probably bringing back fun memories for him, too) and we immediately set it up in the back yard. Fortunately, we had just enough room! Sean 'had to' give a demonstration for the girls (pictures below) and when they saw their Dad take the dive and slide they immediately jumped to their feet to try it out...

Posted by Rebecca at 9:46 PM | Permalink

Well, ok, so Piper's first swim was via my belly barely sitting in the kiddie pool we bought today. Still, we had a hoot in the back yard today playing in the water, cooling off and enjoying some popsicles.

Posted by Rebecca at 11:23 PM | Permalink