My Baby Girl

Today my baby started First Grade. I am still trying to figure out where the time has gone.


I had the first day jitters big time. Even down to the nightmares last night. I don't think I caught a wink of good sleep! Alex was fine though. Very exctied. Anxious to see some of her friends and her dear Mrs W (her classroom aide that moved up with her). She was also very excited to wear a fancy dress. Nothing short of a holiday dress was going to cut it for her today. So this was our best compromise. I'm glad I caved. She was so proud of how she looked. And giving her self confidence may just be the most important thing I could offer her. (And yes, she insisted on the oversized bow as well.)

Ready or Not?

Most definitely Not.

School starts in under a week and I couldn't be less ready.  I mean what is so exciting about having to have two kids ready and out the door by 7am?  Not much.

But it is just around the corner and will be here whether I am ready or not.

The one thing that makes me most nervous is that we have had a wonderful and PEACEFUL summer.  We have had our share of incidents, but nothing like last school year brought.

But this is a new year and hoping for new and better experiences.

The first step toward making that happen was getting in with a child psychologist and trying to figure out what exactly is going on with Alex.  Which we've begun.  And today, an official diagnosis.

So here's to hoping First Grade is a huge success!!!!

A Special Day

Today was a very special day for two very special children...mine!

Alex's teacher has given each of her students a "special day" in which they are the helpers and where they can share a bit about themselves with their classmates. Alex has been counting down the days until her "Special Day", September 25th. It finally came. And she was so very excited. Mommy came in to school and made little books for each of the students containing facts about Alexandra. We read one of Alex's favorite books to the class and she introduced her brother to all of her friends. I wish I had borrowed a camera and captured the fun!

But Daddy had our camera in Texas for another very special day, Cullen's adoption finalization. The agency that Cullen's birthmom worked with is based out of San Antonio. So Shawn flew in yesterday in order to be present at today's court appearance, in which Cullen David Reardon was offically declared OURS!!! And it is with tear filled eyes that I type this news. I look at my two beautiful children each day in amazement and wonder how is it possible that we have been so blessed!

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The Eve

Supplies are bought. Clothes are laid out. Book bag is packed. Lunch is made.

Sounds like I am ready.

I should be ready.

I've have known for 5 years that this day would come.

But I am just not.

On this very important eve, I laid my baby boy in his crib. And rememberd back to the day my precious baby girl slept in that very spot. Her long fingers peeking through the sleeves of her rosebud jammies. I can still smell the scent of her just after her bath. I can hear the babbles that call out from her crib. The laughter. The smile. Where did the time go. It was too quick. I find myself pleading with God to turn back the hands of time.

But life doesn't work that way. She is ready. And I need to be too. I want to be ok with this. I really do. But it hurts. Every day I can see her slip further and further away from the baby she was and into the young woman she will one day become.

That's the obvious progression.

It's what is supposed to happen, right.

Then why is it so hard?

Beauty and the Beast

My little Beauty celebrated another milestone yesterday. She graduated preschool! She has been practicing her graduation walk for some time now, but kept secret the songs and activities they had planned. How did this happen? When did this happen? I swear it was just yesterday that she fit in th crook of my arm.And the boy...or should I say The Beast! That kid is growing like it is his full time job. In three months we have already outgrown 3 sizes. I was amazed to see that all of his 3-6 month jammies are too small. So I spent the weekend washing all of his 6-9 months stuff. He definitely won't be the peanut that his sister is! And look at that boy in his saucer. He looks like a 6 month old! Slow down buddy!And shhhhhh! Don't tell my husband. But I was lonely last night with him out of town. So I invited another man to bed......

1st day of Preschool

More preschool pics can be found on Shutterfly.

Off the Waiting List

I received a call with great news today. Something we have been hoping for. Alex made it off the waiting list for the Autumn Lane preschool program! Since we moved to the district too late to have her start in September, she has been on a waiting list. I had little hope she would make it in this school year. But she did!

This is such great news for her. She has really missed being involved in a program. She misses the kids and activities. She is so ready fo this. It is 5 days a week (mornings) and will be a great transition into all day kindergarden in the Fall. This also means that mom doesn't have to drive to Nanie's each morning in Webster...which will save me nearly an hour commute in the morning and again in the afternoon. Just think of all the gas we'll save!

The only downfall is that she will be leaving Nanie's (my grandmothers) where she has been since she was 8 weeks old. She is my grandparents' lives and although this is going to kill them...they know that this is a very good thing for Alex.

So tonight we went out backpack shopping. She didn't find what she wanted and was really hoping for Scooby Doo backpack. And thanks to Amazon, this one will arrive in a few days along with the matching lunch bag.