Jackson, firsts - reading

Last night, Jackson read Trucks to me, pretty much all by himself. It is really amazing to see this process - sometimes painfully frustrating - but definitely one of the best things about being a parent. My heart is swollen with pride, and happy to think of his future and the joy reading will bring him.

firsts, drawing of a face - Cade

Since I blogged about Jackson's first face drawing here, I thought in all fairness I should put up Cade's first face drawing.

I like the one eye. Very alien-esque. Picasso-esque. Chakra-esque.

And the hair seems appropriate.

Good job, Cade.

anxiety, attachment, transition

Jackson had a hard time adjusting to Kindergarten. For the first two months, he would clutch a picture of our family with him at all times. When that got shredded, Jon drew him a picture of each of us. When we started worrying about it, I had a pin made. He lost it and started carrying the picture again. We started a chart to reward him for not carrying it around school. I got him a new pin. He kept the pin pinned to his shirt but was also carrying around the picture.

Then one day he came home and announced, "I don't need the picture anymore."

And that was it.

I want to remember this, because there are many many times when I worry and fret about something and then, it's over. Run its course, been outgrown, and we're moving on to the next thing.

Whether it's only being able to fall asleep in the swing when he was a baby, to holding a ratty, tattered picture of us - Jackson, you make it though. I'm always so proud of you buddy. I love you.

firsts, Jackson & Sammy - ride a bike!

When we were in Florida, Jackson surprised the heck out of me by pretty much getting on a two-wheel bike and riding it. It was that simple. I guess it was 2 years of riding the Skuut bike that really helped. The same day, Sammy started riding his bike with no training wheels too! It was pretty cool to watch them riding around the neighborhood.

This video kills me - Jackson is wearing his Optimus Prime pajamas, riding his too-small pink princess bike. Sammy speeds by, and......there's Cade, bringing up the rear on HIS pink princess bike (and matching Dora helmet). (Both pink bikes from the local Salvation Army for $5.99 and $9.99, if I remember right).

cade, firsts - writes his name

Cade, age 3 years 4 months old, writes his name. The C is backward and he mixed up the D and the E, but overall, I'm pretty impressed. #proudmama.

big boy beds all around

So among other big changes recently, Cade has moved to a big boy bed ~ since he's pretty much potty-trained and needs to be able to go....although he won't, on his own, yet..... We put Jackson in the bigger side of the two rooms and Cade's now is in Jackson's old bed and room. Jackson's sleeping in the daybed I got on Dean Street - the mattress on the floor next to him in case this happens, a high probability, although he's getting better.....

growth spurt

Overnight, Jackson went from size 4 to size 5 pants. What happened to my babies?!

 Boys JACKET PANTS LITTLE GUY SUIT Sewing Pattern here.

so cool

Last night Jackson was playing with a die we had around the house. He would roll it (throw it, really) then count the dots, roll it again, and add the numbers together. It was a first, and so cool to see his proud smile each time as he figured it out.

learning to wave

All parents think their children are the cutest ever, but in this video I really think Cade is the cutest ever. Watch his right arm as he learns how to wave. You can practically see his brain communicating with his hand.

Jackson weighs 33 lbs. 

Cade weighs 27 lbs. 

They are 2 years and 2 months apart. 

ABC's

Cade's beginning to sing his ABC's. It's very cute.

He also sings "Happy Birthday to You."

And says "MINE" a lot. And also, "No." As in, "Cade, let's go pick-up Jackson at school." "No."

(This sampler is a kit, from Posie Gets Cozy)

a day in the life

Before I had children, I remember wondering what stay-at-home mothers did all day.  I didn't really consider that I would ever be one. I still wonder what I do all day. It's been a hard adjustment, and I'm still trying to figure it all out. Not that I ever will, I'm sure. Anyway, I wanted to make a list of a typical day because I KNOW in 2 years I won't remember the minutiae of everyday life. This is probably very boring to anyone else reading - it's really for Future Me. So, a typical day:

• wake up, take shower and get dressed while jon reads with jackson and cade
• go downstairs and make breakfast
• eat, brush teeth, get coats, hats, shoes, scarves, mittens on
• drive jackson to school - bring him upstairs to his Butterfly classroom with Cade
• drive over to Trader Joes
• circle block three times before finding a space RIGHT IN FRONT
• take Cade to get free sample before beginning to shop
• leave Trader Joes, unload groceries from stroller into car, then watch Cade run up and down ramp for 20 min.
• force screaming Cade into car seat
• drive home, double park, unload groceries onto front steps
• back up and find parking place
• get Cade and groceries inside
• make Cade lunch while putting groceries in fridge and pantry
• clean Cade up and take him upstairs for nap
• put him down, go make our bed and gather laundry for downstairs
• put laundry in washer
• make myself lunch while cleaning up cade's mess from lunch
• read and answer emails
• vacuum
• put our dinner in slow cooker
• empty garbages from upstairs
• wake Cade up from nap(sucks) and get him into his coat and shoes
• get in car to go pick-up Jackson
• get out with Cade, go upstairs to Butterfly room
• get both boys back in car
• drive home and get them inside
• take off and put away coats, shoes, school papers
• play trains and boats
• read 5 Thomas the Tank Engine stories
• make dinner for them
• make salad for us
• make Jackson's lunch for school tomorrow
• put on Cars the movie
• put out garbage and recylcing
• feed and clean up after them
• look online for dentist for Jackson covered by our insurance (not going well)
• Jon comes home on the early side YAY
• sit in bathroom for 20 minutes while Jackson goes to the bathroom
• get them upstairs, in jammies, teeth brushed
• read them stories, put them to bed
• check emails
• post on blog
• eat dinner
• and my favorite part of the day - watch one episode of Downton Abbey, my new favorite show
• good night, I'm exhausted
• oh wait - the day's not over:
• wake up at 3 am to tell Cade to lie down no crying
• wake up at 4 am to tell him again
• feed him at 5:30 am

Jackson's first parent teacher meeting

We had our first parent teacher meeting last night. Jackson got a very good evaluation, including my favorite part:


"Jackson shows enjoyment and mastery in art, especially drawing with colored pencils. His smile widens when it's time to use gluesticks and scissors, both of which he manipulates confidently."

Chip of the old blocks!

FINALLY

After months of the following conversation.....

Us: "Cade, say Mimi."
Cade: "Nonno."

.....Cade finally said Mimi last night on the stairs. Much cheering and clapping followed.

Thanks for coming down to babysit, Mimi & Nonno.

(picture of Mimi & Cade from Christmas Eve)

first drawing of a face

So it seems, artistically, Jackson has entered the "Pre-Schematic Stage:"

* Announced by the appearance of circular images and lines which seem to suggest a human or animal figure.
* During this stage the schema (the visual idea) is developed.
* The drawings show what the child perceives as most important about the subject.
* There is little understanding of space - objects are placed in a haphazard way throughout the picture
* The use of colour is more emotional than logical
Lowenfeld

Also, please note the "boogers in the nose."

three strikes

Croupy fever + teething + time change = not fun.

However, Cade remains chipper and active throughout it all. For the most part. Until he's not. Then he lets us know.

first words - yes, no, this, mama, dada, and nonno

Cade now says Yes and No - in the cutest little mousie voice you've ever heard. It reminds me a little bit of how Jackson used to say it. (Awww, it breaks my heart a little in a good way when I see him this little).

cade walking footage

All of a sudden, something in his brain clicked. He just started walking around like a little drunken Irish sailor.

If you listen closely, you can hear Jackson say, "Good Job Cade."

baby's first steps!

It's official - Cade is walking! Mimi was here to see him in action. Good job, Cade! Video soon.

I'm happy to report, for the first time in 14 months, that Cade slept from 8 pm to 6 am last night.

Good job, Cade. Thank you, Lord.