Playing with friends!
Birthday morning pancakes!
“Happy Birthday from your Friendly Neighborhood Spider Man!”
“I’m THREE!”
Happy 3rd year, baby. We love you.
Pictures from Birthday Weekend! Finally!
October 1st, 2011Turn Left at the Tee-Kai
September 28th, 2011Awhile ago Cy started using a non-sensical word for everything. “Tee-kai.” It was during his Brother Bear phase, so I think it’s spin off of one of the character’s names “Kenai,” but still. EVERYTHING. IS. A. TEE. KAI.
“Hey Mommy! I making a tee-kai!” (Pile of pillows on the floor.) That made us think he MEANT teepee. But then, “Hey Mommy! Look! A tee-kai!” became two grapes speared with a chop stick. Still the most mysterious, was Tee-Kai (notice the capital letters) who had “brown skin and white hair.” “He’s my friend!” Or this morning, when Cy told me, “I know how’a get to Music School! Go left at the Tee-Kai!”
It’s lasted for almost a month now, maybe more! So I’m pretty curious to see how this tee-kai business turns out!
I still owe the Internets some serious pictures of my child during his birthday celebrations. So very sorry! Life here has been outrageously busy.
I’m not one for giving out my schedule online- but seriously people, from Saturday night through Wednesday is brutal. Church is way crazy busy on Sunday, and then I rocket through the beginning of the week into a late night at school on Tuesday night when all my homework is due (there goes Monday night). I’m at work in my new position M-F, and teach on Wednesday afternoon. I have to catch up on sleep/running schedule/housework Thursday and Friday, just to fall behind on the school work… and it all starts again. It wouldn’t be as crazy, I don’t think, if Cy were sleeping normally. Lately, though, he’s been up a lot, crying at night, and (GASP) sleeping in our bed. I always freak out when this happens- but then by the time I get a good “approach” in place for how to “address” the “sleeping issues,” he’s over it. It happens every six months or so- and then it’s over. So let’s hope he’ll settle in soon.
To be fair, the kid’s got a lot of change going on in his life! I’m working around 30 hours a week and he started preschool (two mornings a week). John now goes into work early, I go in later, and so sometimes I’m home for dinner sometimes not. I’m also back at school- which means I don’t get home until 10 or 11pm one night a week.
All new stuff.
But I’m holding on to the “happy.” I know this will all work out, we just have to get our groove back, yo.
Groove.
I keep kind of “checking in” with this decision for me to be working again- but it’s kind of twofold right now. a) I LOVE WORKING and b) we need me to work if we ever want to get a handle on those pesky (not little) students loans and you know…get on with life. And the sneaky third reason:
c) plusican’thaveababyrightnowidon’twanttotalkaboutit.
I came home from work yesterday after picking Cy up at school. (He had a fire drill, he did great! Such a big boy.) As I turned onto my street I noticed that the town had painted new yellow lines down the center of the road. At first I was offended- the bright, sharp yellow edges stood out too much. Totally in my face. Completely butting into this whole “natural color scheme” thing we had going on. But then I realized that it’d probably help, you know, keep people on their side.
So that’s what I feel like right now, like I’ve drawn two bright yellow lines down the middle of my life. Some stuff gets to be on this side, some stuff on that side, and right know it’s kind of awkward. Long term, though, it’s the same road. It just looks different. That’s all.
He’s 3 This Monday, Pictures Pending
September 17th, 2011Today we took a train ride with a friend for Cy’s birthday. Last year’s party kind of did me in- I was all crazy about reusable party plates and eco-friendly festivities, but this year we having our celebration over three days. Today was a train ride with Liliana (Not twins, remember? Someone asked me, “Why are you celebrating your son’s birthday but not your daughter’s? NOT TWINS.), which was really fun. The kiddos liked it a lot I think. Sometimes it’s hard to tell with 2 almost 3 year olds. (Liliana will turn 3 in November, I think.) The ride was nice, we saw lots of farmy-type stuff out the windows, and they got cookies! I’m calling it good.
Tomorrow Liliana will be with us again (filling in for her regular babysitter this weekend) and we’ll bring cupcakes to nursery at church, and then Monday, although I have to work, we’re doing cake and ice cream for family. And a couple of other families. It got bigger than I thought it would- I think it’ll feel like real party. I let Cy pick out his own cake at the grocery store (Spiderman cake, of course, that I will spend money on so that I can sleep the night before the party instead of staying up crying that I can’t figure out how to make icing webs) and John and I will give him the present we bought 3 months ago (I can’t believe I held out, so proud!), and that’ll be that! Oh yeah….except for TUESDAY morning when he’s in charge of snack at preschool- we’ll do cupcakes then TOO.
Sheesh. 4 days of Cy birthday, not bad eh?
Especially since he requests Happy Birthday (the Hattaway extended version) each night before bed all year long anyway.
We like birthdays.
I felt kind of weird about this birthday, since I didn’t do months of prep- (I actually thought about it forever and then decided I didn’t want a big party- and then all these other plans just kind of happened) and I won’t be with him all day on his actual birthday. But I think our little family is just evolving, and I think this birthday will be special.
It already is, mostly because of this kid’s face, and how smooshable it is. (I should hurry up and post this picture before he’s old enough to object.)
1st Day of Preschool in Pictures
September 6th, 2011
This last one was taken by Cy.
And after a great morning at preschool- I came home, fixed Cy lunch, and cried into a dishrag in the kitchen. I think he’s growing up faster than I am.
It was a good day :)
School Day
September 6th, 2011Cy and I both start school today. It’s only orientation for him, so I’ll be there the whole time. I am a little worried about how he’ll do, but I’m hoping he’ll get into the swing of things without too much nervousness. As I’ve been writing his name in his backpack and checking to make sure his sneakers still fit (crocs all summer!) I have been thinking about how much I loved school. I loved, loved school. Sure, it came with its share of social dramas, but all in all, I enjoyed it. I hope Cy feels the same way. I hope he feels safe and loved by his teachers and is able to maneuver all the tricky 3 year old social expectations. Two mornings a week. (I hope I don’t cry.)
I start classes tonight, too. Still working towards my MA in education, specializing in ESL education. I passed both MTELS this past year, so that pressure is gone. Now I just get to enjoy my classes and hopefully actually find time to do the reading.
As for my new job, I am working 25 hours a week plus teaching classes at the same business school I’ve been working at for about a year. My title is officially “Student Services Coordinator,” but my main objective right now (to be expanded as we get things rolling) is to help ATB students pass the Compass Exam. ATB (Ability to Benefit) students are people who haven’t finished high school or gotten their GED and want to continue on with their studies. They have to take the Compass to prove that they are capable of the school’s course work, and, at least so far, many of them haven’t met the passing score. My position is meant to fill in the gaps. Not that we’re sure what that means yet. So far, it’s been one-on-one tutoring. I think it’ll move into group prep classes, we just have to get people signed up. Most of my education (at least in Scranton and Amherst) has touched on themes of social justice and the circumstances surrounding the achievement gap. I’ve always wanted to do something to make the educational environment of my community better- and now- that’s my job.
So off we go! A brand new series of challenges. I won’t be snuggled in our house as the snow starts to fall this year- we’ll have to get out and keep on doing what we do. I think it’s going to be good for us. I feel like it’s the end of Cy’s real baby years- now he’s my little boy. It makes me so very sad. But I’m proud of who he is, and I can’t wait to hear about his first day at school!
Falling In
August 29th, 2011We had a small hurricane, tropical storm? Yesterday. Our area was mostly affected by flooding. It seems like even the smallest of streams or brooks can cause big issues when filled to overflowing. We left the house once yesterday to go visit some friends holed up at the church building (lots of neighborhood evacuations) and by the time we came back the little bridge by our house had been closed, and Cy’s “waterfall” had turned into a “chocolate waterfall!”
Here is Cy at the beginning of the summer with the “waterfall” at a normal level, and not filled with mud.
Here is the “chocolate waterfall!” yesterday. They closed the bridge when the water touched it.
Today it was still much higher than normal, and muddy brown. Lots of debris. A few of the local farms were flooded pretty badly. Cy and I took a long walk to check on the chickens. They were ok, and Cy heard the rooster crow. It was VERY exciting.
“It’s really kinda fast!” he said. We had to run across the bridge to see the stick we threw in go over the waterfall. Usually we’re standing around for awhile waiting for it to mosey it’s way under the bridge and over the dam.
It’s amazing though, this storm made me realize that we are really moving into fall. Much more quickly than I anticipated. I have orientation for school this week, I start my new job TODAY (more on that later), Cy starts his fall schedule (preschool! music class! swim lessons! time with La La EVERY DAY!) next week as well. It’s all changing. This fall is a different one. Next month will be his third birthday.
Like I said, it’s all changing. Faster. Faster than it should? I don’t know if there is a should. We’re just going to roll with it. Can’t stop nature.
This was taken early last month.
And then this one this morning.
I think we’re ready!
Wrapped up in love and Spiderman.
August 20th, 2011I’ve been meaning to post pictures of Cy’s new room situation. Keep in mind that I’ve never worked hard at coordinating furniture (we usually snag things that fit 3 criteria: 1) It fits a need 2) Cheap/Free 3) Real wood. So we’ve got a mismatch set of table, dresser and bed, and we REALLY NEED TO PAINT HIS ROOM. BAD. But I’m happy with how he and I set it up. I let him have some more choices. Not too many. But you know. Enough.
Mostly though, I’m proud of my Mom’s quilt.
Have I told you that my Mom is a quilter? I legit one. With a long arm quilting machine and a business bank account and such. She started quilting long ago, and had to send quilts out to be finished. Now she does them from start to finish all on her own, and they are luxurious and amazing. Cy’s first quilt (sorry, I had a better link but the pictures died? somehow? sad!) was finished by someone else, but not this one!
She did this one, start to finish all on her own. (And many others, pieced by her and others. You can mail her your tops if you want! She’s a finisher!) The fabric is Eric Carle Brown Bear fabric- which she is not allowed to sell because of copyright. But lucky us! Because that means it’s all for her grandson.
She even included something secret just for Cy on the back…
Which, of course, just reinforced that La La knows her grandson. And reduced my guilt about allowing him to pick out Spiderman sheets at “Four Dollars.” He loves them, and although they offend my sensitivities…I think it’s time for Momma to stand aside and let the little boy choose his own happiness. And I still have the beautiful, soft brown sheets I chose to compliment the “Brown Bear” theme. I’m SO READY for him to wet the bed. I have LAYERS on there, a towel to absorb it deep inside the layers…and and extra set of sheets. Yup. Am ready…and freaked that he hasn’t yet…
The rest of the room?
The toy box, Penguin named Aristotle, and the library book bin. (Also, IKEA table and chair.)
(Apparently shiny?) Dresser (mine from high school), fold up Target-type bookcase, and pictures of friends and family that I let him tape on the wall himself. The benefits of knowing you need to paint anyway!
Where the reading happens. At least, the bedroom reading anyway. It’s like a sport around here.
So that’s it. My Bubbs’s room. Where he sleeps soundly in no diaper, wrapped up in LaLa’s quilty love and in his “Fiderman” sheets. Seriously. My baby is a child now.
A post from the backyard.
August 18th, 2011Thing 1: We’re officially out of laundry. I have no idea how I checked out of the laundry situation for so long. It’s ok. Life goes on.
Thing 2: Cy has a playmate today. My running/church/soul friend’s daughter. She “almost a first grader!” and she is quiet and funny and a good planner (train track planner, that is) and kind to my little boy. Her Mom is out of town with one older sister, and her Dad and other older sister are doing me a churchy favor today by running to the bishop’s storehouse to pick up food for local families. (RS Pres, holla.) She fits in a pair of his shorts, and he can push her in the Cozy Coupe. She’s great at helping him color and being “it” in tag every time and being a good example of a “big kid.” This makes me want two. (Ok, I already wanted two.)(Babies, that is.) She’s currently filling his hat up with water and he is busting a gut. A real belly laugh.
Thing 3: Cy is (I daresay) officially potty trained. Day and night. I think we have one diaper floating around here somewhere, but it’s upes all the way…and he hasn’t had even ONE night accident. I realized that he was ready for upes at night when I went to through the dirty diaper trash away, and saw that I have over a week’s worth of diapers in there. ”Disgusting!” I cried. Two diapers a day! For a week! In my trash can! And then I realized they were all dry. Dry dry. And the next day we didn’t put one on him for nap or overnight, and it’s been fine. Like many other milestones that I thought would be drawn out and painful, he slid right by this one like no one’s business. He’s officially a flossing, big boy bed sleeping, potty using member of the community. (And now that I’ve bragged I’m sure he’ll revert or whatever it is that parents call it when their kids are potty trained and then just….not…)
Or maybe he’ll be fine. Because he’s a superhero.
Thing 4: I’m still running! A combo of Nike + and myfitnesspal.com and a friend to run with are working out for my sticktoitedness. I’m feeling better. Stress-free-er. Still not skinnier. But I don’t want to talk about it.
They said the route was flat. They lied.
August 13th, 2011My friend Jenn and I ran a race this morning! My first since 2004. I had two goals- run the whole thing, and be FASTER than 12 minute miles. And we did! We want to get down to 10 minutes a mile, which is I think where I was in college. I’ve never been a FAST runner, but I feel better when I can run a good distance.
We’re shooting for another one soon, but I’m just proud of us. I’m especially proud that we kept running even though the “flat” course turned out to be not flat. At all. We were Mommies doing something good for ourselves. Now, although I’ve been running again for a couple of months…I have YET to lose any weight. As a matter of fact…I’ve gained weight. (Seriously?) But I’m trying not to get discouraged, because I FEEL better. I just feel so much better. And it’s actually been fun.
Other change: job change (more later!), new classes starting next month, Cy starting pre-school, and the fact that he’s currently sleeping- NO DIAPER. I can’t even count how many dry diapers I’ve thrown away the last fews weeks in the morning. So we’ll see how it goes. All in all though, I think he’s potty trained! But I’m going to keep the washer empty at night just in case.
And really, the running. I’m most proud of the running.
Night everyone!
I found this post…
August 3rd, 2011I’m planning Cy’s third birthday party…and realized I never finished this post about his second? Maybe I just wrote a new one. But look! Cousin hugs!
Cy’s second birthday party went really well! We had his first one
