The first week of school

On Monday the kids went back to school! The pre-going-to-school pictures were a hoot. Olivia picked out her own outfit and hair style and was proud of them! We bought that dress on clearance at Kohl's and she thought it was perfect! Ha! Leo, on the other hand, would not put on the "Boy Genius" shirt I had planned for him that I thought he would love because it had a cartoon character he loves on it. He insisted on wearing "an orange shirt." And he had to be bribed with a jelly bean to get a picture with him looking at the camera. That boy!

Olivia and Leo did FABULOUSLY at drop-off! Olivia gave me a high five, told me she loved me, and went it. Leo hugged me and was ready to play trains! It was wonderful to have a couple of hours on my own to work! Their programs are 9:15-12:15. Olivia's is five mornings a week, but Leo's is only two. That's why I have a babysitter for him one more morning a week so that I can work. My afternoon twice a week babysitter quit because she made the soccer team. The kids have been going through so much change that I am loathe to go through the babysitter-interviewing process again. The sleep disruption alone makes me cringe to think of it....so we are getting by.

Olivia was happy at the end of the day Monday. She said, "I had so much fun that I didn't even have time to miss you, Mom!" But Leo was done and the teachers skipped the pick up line to bring him to me before he completely melted down. Olivia continued to do great at drop off and pick up the whole week, has told us lots of fun things they have done--used pipets in science class, rang bells in music, shared their family placemats we did as homework ahead of time, played with a different toy/activity set out on their tables at the beginning of each day, worked on lots of learning activities involving writing and drawing--and has brought home lots of stuff to prove it! I am impressed with how well she is doing with the five morning a week schedule.

Leo has had a bit of a harder time. Wednesday he had to walk into a classroom full of crying kids, which set the stage for a bad day. His teachers said he rebounded after about an hour and a half of being sad and refusing to play or crying. I am really hoping that next week goes better. Leo's sleep has been very, very bad since Sunday, too.  (It was only very bad before that.) That is probably part of the reason he didn't have a great time Wednesday.

Leo also has had a bit of a hard time when Olivia goes to school and he doesn't. (I TRIED hard to get him enrolled more than two days, but they won't do it as the two year old classes meet two days a week and they wouldn't let me put him in both.) Today he said several times after dropping off sister, "I miss my super girl. I am Super Man and I call my Olivia Super Girl." But, I think he has enjoyed some Mama time doing Legos and hitting the playground.

I am looking forward to a great year!! I believe that the teachers (two in Olivia's classroom of ten and three in Leo's classroom of twelve) are very prepared. Leo's teachers really seem to be on it as far as communication with the parents, a routine for the kids, and a vision of how to do things. Olivia's teachers wrote on the first day that the class was record-breaking because NO ONE got upset on the first day. Lori and Amy said they are thrilled to have such a small and enthusiastic class (there are five classes of four year olds that meet on slightly different schedules), and feel that they can go far this year! Wow! Getting ready for Kindergarten!

The end of summer

In pictures

The babysitter who didn't quit...Olivia strolled her baby girl Rosy while Savannah strolled Leo. This is my view from my office/soon-to-be the baby's room.

More Lake Wheeler! This is funny because Olivia's teacher told me today that Olivia told the class today about Lake Wheeler and all it has to offer! Ha! We've been there a lot as it is ten minutes from our house and lots of fun! 

A crazy trip to IKEA to buy loads of organizing stuff. Hopefully we will get things organized soon so the baby room can become a baby room! We bought the desk x 2 below and one of those bins for the playroom so that the kids have more room for working on coloring, Legos, puzzles, etc. Pics to follow.

 A classroom visit for both kids to their potential classrooms. They mostly just played with each other, which worried me a little, but their teachers were super great and the administration was super organized, so those were huge plusses.

And me getting fatter...right before heading to Lake Wheeler last Saturday. I have gained more so far in this pregnancy than in my previous two combined at the same point. Blah. I feel fat. Since I am having contractions already--almost everyday--I just don't care! 

Leo has named our baby McQueen now. Olivia calls him Dexter (from a book we read about a princess with a baby brother named Dexter). Olivia told her teachers on the preview day that she has a baby boy in her tummy. Oh, my!

And just like that, summer was over!

We're having a boy!!

We're having a boy!! Wednesday morning we found out at my level two scan--a benefit of my advanced maternal age at delivery. More importantly we were able to see that all his little organs are developing well, his hands and feet are there and kicking, he is fat--measuring about a week ahead, and he seems to be as healthy as we can hope for!

When we found out the baby is a boy, Olivia cried. Poor thing. Leo announced, "Guess what, Mom?! We're having a baby after Christmas!" The sonogram tech thought that was hilarious!

The only hiccup is that the doctor showed us that I have marginal placenta previa. This clears up on its own in most cases, so they just plan to do a recheck in about eight weeks. If the placenta doesn't move, though, I'll have to have a c-section. I am praying not to for all the obvious reasons, but also because we just have too many stairs in our house for me to deal with that! Ha!

Nicholas and I are thrilled to be having another healthy baby! I am trying not to expect another Leo since I know that each baby is different. Leo is so different from Olivia not just because he is a boy, but because he is the second and he is Leo. I am excited to meet this baby who will be different and fun in lots of ways that I am haven't even imagined yet! And Olivia, I know, will love this sweet boy when he comes! Leo, of course, is excited to name him Dumbo Junior!

Another week of summer!

Summer just keeps on going here since the kids aren't starting preschool until September 8th! We've been enjoying the Cobra around the block and to the pool! Even in the garage--Leo and Olivia's favorite movie is Cars, so they pretend that their little car is McQueen. In the last picture, see Leo pumping up the tires! Ha!

The pool is now only open evenings and weekends, but we sure have enjoyed it A LOT this summer! Olivia still can't swim...I figure next year I might get tough about it. She is tall enough to stand in the pool, though, so she has enjoyed just jumping and playing. Leo is super cool about playing around with his puddle jumper on, too!

This is a nothing video that Olivia wanted me to take!

The ten minute guard break each hour is a favorite snack time!

Saturday, we checked out Crowder District park, which is about five minutes from our house. It has hiking trails, a lake full of fish and turtles, and three different playgrounds! The kids had a ball and ended up pretending the play structures were space ships and they were astronauts! I love their imaginations!

We've got two little playgrounds within our big neighborhood, too. Since I have decided that I need to get more exercise, we've been walking to both. The kids have been racing from lamp post to lamp post....well, at least Olivia has!

We did the airport observation deck on Tuesday, but I was having contractions and felt like dirt (turns out I had food poisoning and was overly dehydrated), so I have no pictures. Plus, super mom that I am, I forgot to bring shoes for Olivia, so she ran around barefoot like she was too poor to wear any.

Today, on a whim, the kids and I went to Lake Wheeler after we ran some errands and went to the library this morning. It was hot, but really pleasant with the breeze on the water. We made it all the way across and back in our thirty minute time slot. The kids had a blast sticking their feet in the water and splashing!

The snow cones were a welcome treat after our hot boat ride!

Here they are eating their lunch in their space shuttle! Ha!

I haven't spent this much time with the kids without any care since I was off on maternity leave with Leo. Not that I worked a ton, but even those 12 hours a week that I drop them off was something. I realize I am REALLY going to miss just getting to play so much with them once they start back up in school! Here's to a great summer! And a little more where that came from!

So many things...

Back to work

Last week I went back to work for UA remotely. My boss was extremely generous to allow me to do this. Since my day care situation--two days a week all day--fell through in August and my kids don't start school until September 8th, I've been winging it with our young babysitter from up the street who was on track-out last week (that's a break from year-round school for the uninitiated). This week, she is coming over after school a bit, and I am trying to get some work done during "quiet time" in the afternoon. Olivia likes to sit in the office with me and do ABCmouse.com. Leo, if he's not napping, would prefer to play iPad games...mostly educational. 

I had to use the bathroom, so Olivia said, "Don't worry. I will keep an eye on everything in the office--my computer, your computer, my study area, Leo's monitor--everything." Ha! (Mom, she puts her little Catholic bible up on the desk and says she has to study it!)

I am thrilled to be back to work, though. I like getting little projects done, even if I haven't been able to devote much time to my UA work yet. It has made the week a bit more hectic, my house cleaning has taken a back-burner, and I have been a bit more tired since I haven't been able to sneak in any laying down time in the afternoon.

Babysitters

Two weeks ago, I broke down and joined SitterCity.com to help find more care for Leo once Olivia goes to school five mornings a week. He only goes two because that is all I could find for him. We also need a date-night sitter since Nicholas and I haven't been out since Mom visited in June. We interviewed three sitters in four days, and I was happy to like all of them. We found a date-night sitter, a one-morning-a-week sitter, and an emergency sitter in case I have to go to the hospital regarding the new baby. Score!!

Sleep

However, the problem with all these babysitter interviews was that the kids, although they did great while meeting them, had VERY disrupted sleep. Olivia has NEVER slept in our bed, but she was in our bedroom more last week than ever. Leo had slept in our bed before he turned one, but hadn't since. He was in there a lot, too. Sleep was rough. Then Leo was up from 2-6 one morning and I about died the next day since Olivia then woke at 6:45. I am happy to report that Olivia has been a champion sleeper since I put up a rewards chart in her room and bribed her with ice cream for breakfast. Leo still is getting up and leaving his room. Last night was another bad one: up from 2 until after 4. Leo is trying to give up his nap, too, which is complicating things.

After picnicking with Nicholas's colleague and his family last Wednesday, and our kids had THE WORST BEHAVIOR, they slept on the way home. No wonder. Bad behavior almost always means tired in our house.

Gymnastics

Since going to gymnastics camp, Olivia has begged to go back and to start taking classes. I signed her up for last week for a trial class. She was so looking forward to it!! But....she hated it! Ha! The instructor was very no-nonsense and used the gymnastics vernacular to a fault--not showing what to do bust just saying "Straddle" or "Walk-up hand-stand". Olivia didn't have a good time, so I am glad it was a trial class. 

I asked her why she liked camp, but not class, and she gave me several reasons. At camp they did the zip line, jumped into pits of foam, did crafts, and had snacks. Also, after camp I had packed her lunch and let her eat it in the car, and she was flabbergasted that I hadn't done that for her 1-2 PM class. Ha! Anyway, I sent her to camp today and she had a blast. I will send her Thursday, too, and that will be that until next summer when both kiddos can go together!!

A Day on the Lake

My friend told me about the lake fifteen minutes away that rents paddle boats. I figured we would give it a try for a family day on Saturday. We had a great time!! Wake county parks are AWESOME!! The visitor center had this great deck overlooking the lake, complete with snack bar and air conditioned restrooms. The morning was beautiful and it reminded me a lot of going to Lake Cumberland as a kid.

Here we were waiting for the paddle boat.

The kids got a kick out of it! I wish we could have swam, but there was no swimming in this lake. Lots of fishing and stand-up paddle boarders, though. They also rented canoes and kayaks. Maybe when the kids are older!!

Both the kids wanted turns steering and paddling, which was fine with me. Here's the view back to the dock.

Daddy is a rockstar!

There was also a playground and a beach area where the kids had fun watching the ducks.

We had a picnic lunch...

And frozen treats from the snack bar for dessert!

It wasn't even very crowded, which was a bonus! I think this place is a hidden gem! We will be back!

Olivia's 4-year well visit

Olivia's 4 year well visit was very late, indeed, due to us moving and getting into a new practice. But, she did great! She went with the nurse and did a hearing test (passed), vision test (20/40, which is apparently normal for 4), got measured: 3'7.5" (95%), got weighed 43 lbs (90%), had her blood pressure taken (88/58), her temperature taken under her tongue (98.6), and her pulse taken (100). She is the picture of health, except for her itchy skin that the doc told us to use Zyrtec for since she thinks it is seasonal allergies. Her development seems to be right on, too. Olivia got four boosters yesterday in three shots and was EXTREMELY brave. As her reward, she got her FIRST PET!! Two little African frogs that are supposed to live 2-4 years...we'll see how they do!! I'm super proud of my brave and healthy girl!

Yes, these need new water soon!

Kraft Baby #3

I realize that I have posted nothing about the baby since I announced I was pregnant. I am too old and busy to worry with belly photos this go-around. But it looks like I am gaining weight nicely--net of about six pounds now. I am 18 weeks as of last Thursday. Baby is kicking up a storm, which I can feel inside and out now. She/he suddenly stops whenever Nicholas or Olivia tries to feel, though. I am feeling well, except a bit more tired than pre-pregnancy. Nausea is gone unless I don't eat for too long. My biggest symptom is my terrible, very awful, I-can't-believe-they-could-be-this-painful varicose veins. You win some, and you lose some, I guess. Next Wednesday I will be 19 weeks 6 days, and I have my last ultrasound to determine Baby's gender and check all of his/her organs. So excited to see who will be joining our family soon!