Day Two of Preschool

 

Taken yesterday-- totally ready to go to school!

Today was Gus's second day of preschool and while it was better than Tuesday, it still wasn't great. We'll get there, I'm certain.

I'll start with yesterday. 

I had a lunch event with my MOMS Club, and so at 10:20 I told Gus that he needed to start getting ready so we could leave by 10:30. He immediately went into the kitchen and grabbed his backpack and lunch box and brought them into the living room and said "backpack." I told him that he didn't need his backpack because he wasn't going to school until tomorrow. He didn't seem to understand that school isn't every day.

We went to Sweet Tomatoes for lunch and got to see a lot of our friends that we haven't seen in forever. Many of my friends got to meet Hugh and I enjoyed passing him around the table while I had a chance to eat and focus on Gus. At one point, my friend Kirsten (due in a month) was down at the end of the table holding Hugh and all the littles were around her admiring Hugh. It was so sweet.

Then to my right were Logan and Gus... blissfully happy with their Apple devices and oblivious to the fact that there was an adorable baby to oogle at.

 

Taking after their fathers???

We came home and I was able to take these two adorable pictures of Hugh:

 

Starting to smile at us  :-)

Last night, Hugh slept for SEVEN HOURS!!!! It was glorious and well-deserved and much-needed!!! Gus slept from 8:30-8:30 and I was delighted that he got 12 hours!

This morning we got ready for school and he was excited. We drove through the rain (AGAIN) and arrived right at 9:30. He was excited to carry his backpack into school, was fine entering the church, but as soon as we headed toward his classroom, he started crying.

I walked him into his class and took off his coat and put his backpack and lunch into his cubby and he was crying. His teacher grabbed him and moved him and I left. I could hear him crying through the closed door and my heart ached.

I noticed the bulletin board outside their room changed. There were snowmen and I saw one that Gus made. He must have made it on Tuesday and it made me smile. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

 

Gus's is on the top row... going left to right, it's the third one

 

Upclose- I love that his smile is crooked. All the other smiles are normal... Gus's is different and I love it!

Lesley and I headed to grab something to eat-- we grabbed bagels at this awesome bagel place. I was able to feed and change Hugh and then we headed to the Forum. She had coupons for Bath & Body Works and so I got a few things. We then headed to Trader Joe's and I grabbed some milk and other goodies to take home.

We got to the school at 12:20 and headed down the hall. I didn't hear Gus crying (always a good sign) and when Lesley peeked in the window, Gus was right at the door. The teacher peeked out and motioned for me to come in. When I opened the door, Gus was on the other side and was standing there crying. :-(

I picked him up and he stopped after a minute and calmed down. Mrs. Joanie rubbed his back while she talked to me about his day. She said he was still cautious, but he had a good day. I told her that he was so excited yesterday and she said it's typical for him to want to come and know it's fun, but still want to be with me.

She said that it's a testament to the bond that he and I have and that he is incredibly loved and loves me. She said she wishes that all kids had that and eventually he'll learn to trust them and to trust that it's okay to have fun and that I will be back.

We said our goodbyes and headed home.

I think Tuesday will be even better than today and hopefully a week from today will be the best yet!

We're supposed to go do something with the kids in his preschool class tomorrow. It'll be nice to meet the other moms and to give Gus a chance to play with his new friends in an environment where I'm there too and he's more comfortable. If it doesn't snow and ice up overnight, I should be able to go.

1st Day of Preschool

Today is a monumental day! It was Gus's first day of preschool!! I know everyone is asking, "How did he do?? How did you do, mama?" Well... let me tell you!!

We got up this morning and I made Gus's lunch. It was the first time making a lunch for my child to take to school, and I seriously loved it. Not only did I love making him a special lunch of his favorite things, but he's got a super cute lunch box (on the right in the above picture).

Then Gus watched an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while I got things packed up. He was very happy to enjoy some juice and dry cereal while he watched "ma-mauche."

I wanted to take a few pictures of him before we left, but he was not very cooperative this morning.

At 9:00 we needed to get in the car and head to school. It was pouring rain, and I think that's the reason we were late. Yes. We were late to school on his first day. Thankfully, they have a window from 9:20-9:40 (class starts at 9:30) where you're not in "trouble" for being late. We arrived at 9:38.

We parked, headed inside, and once we turned to go down the hall towards his class, he started crying. He pretty much flipped out. His teacher, Mrs. Joanie (I think that's her name) was very sweet. She said hello to Gus and was very sweet with him (while he was on the floor screaming). She picked him up and I gave him a kiss and said I'd see him in a bit. Then I walked out.

My friend Lesley's son Logan is also in Gus's class (she raved about CTK and so that's why we picked this place for preschool). I'm glad she was there with me and she was watching Hugh while I was pulling myself together.

I went and saw the director, Karen, and paid for January and I also registered Gus for 2013-2014. He's all set for this month and next year. :-) She said she'd email me or call if there was a problem.

Lesley and I headed back to the door, and I could still hear Gus crying. I didn't want to leave yet, in case they needed me for something. I stood there for probably ten minutes, and he was still crying. I could hear him all the way down the hall (and the door in his room was closed). It broke my heart and I started to cry.

I told Lesley I needed to just leave, because hearing him cry was too much. I wanted to head to Trader Joe's to get some mini apples for Gus, some snap peas, and to look around. So we headed over together.

I also got Gus some ABC cookies. I was surprised at how affordable Trader Joe's was. I was always under the impression that it was super expensive, but it wasn't bad at all.

We then headed to Jason's Deli for lunch. It was nice to be close to the school, but also out where I could just relax. I had never been to Jason's Deli. I really liked the food. Next time I'll try the salad bar.

 

Lesley and Hugh at lunch

 

He's so handsome!

At 11am I got an email from Karen letting me know that Gus had calmed down and was doing okay. It made me feel better. 

Lesley and I stayed at Jason's Deli until 12:00 and then we headed back to pick up the boys. I was so anxious to see Gus and was praying that when we got there he wasn't crying. 

When we got to the door, Lesley peeked in and found Logan and Gus playing together. Gus was still wearing his coat from this morning. I looked in and he looked happy. :-)

 

His classroom door

Around 12:25, his teacher peeked out the window and then opened the door and Gus burst out and said, "MAMA!!!" He ran into my arms and I picked him up. He was SO HAPPY to see me!!! His teacher said, "See Gus, mama always comes back for you!!" It was perfect.

He was just so excited to see me and he said hi to Hugh. One of his little friends brought out his backpack and lunch to him and he was excited to say goodbye to Mrs. Joanie.

 

Walking out with Logan and Lesley

We got to the car and he was excited to get home!

His teacher said that it usually takes two full weeks (four classes) before the kids will start to "warm up" if they haven't been to school before. She said he had a good day and she loves having him in class. He said goodbye to her, so I took that as a good sign. I am just thankful that he was able to calm down once I left.

We got home and I looked in his lunch and saw that he didn't eat any of it. He did drink his juice though. So he had lunch at the table and Hugh and I joined him. Once he finished, we headed into the living room where he decided to help me feed Hugh.

It was  a great day. I'm eager to see how Thursday goes!!

Life with two

 

The last picture of us before becoming a family of four

There are some things in this world that you simply cannot prepare for. Heading into the unknown can be quite scary, especially if you're someone who likes to have things planned out and organized. It's very hard to let go and just "wing it" at times, but that's where faith comes in. 

I have always had a strong faith in God and as I've gotten older, it's only grown stronger. My conviction has only intensified as I've been through many things in my life that have left me to either abandon my beliefs, or become even more devout.

Motherhood is one of those things where you cannot prepare for what it'll be like, until you're there. It was always a dream to be a mom. I wanted to be a teacher and a mom, and when the time came to choose between the two, without much doubt, I chose motherhood and haven't looked back.

Being Gus's mom has been the greatest blessing that I've known so far. Meeting Steve was the first best thing and then becoming a mom was the new best. I cannot put to words what this little boy means to me and how deeply my love for him is. He is my world. He has brought so much joy to my life and has made me feel like I'm being used as God intended.

When the prospect of another baby came our way, I jumped in without any hesitation. I was ready to expand our family and I knew that God placed B into our lives for a reason. There was never any doubt that she and I were cosmically connected and I always knew that the baby that she was carrying would be awesome. It'd be a miracle child.

What I wasn't sure of, was how could I love another child like I love my sweet Gustafer. It's impossible to replicate that kind of love, and my feelings for Gus could not possibly be replaced or repeated with child number two. Right?

I was so worried about how Gus would do with us adding a new addition to the family. Would he be jealous? Would he hate the new baby? Would he feel unloved and left out? All my fears and I wasn't sure of the answers. 

My mom (so wise) told me that yes, he'd be jealous. He'd love the baby and hate the baby. He'd feel loved and unloved, and it'd all be okay. She has been right. And so far, it's been exactly perfect.

As crazy as it is to have two boys (and even crazier to say it), it's awesome. Here are a few reasons why having two kiddos is so incredibly amazing:

While the trying to get my attention at all times is hard, the moments of Gus and Hugh together are so sweet. I love watching Gus charter the waters of being a big brother, and I just know that he and Hugh are going to be the best of friends. 

Sometimes.

 

Our family (Hugh was in the Ergo under my hoodie)