Hello, New School Year

Dear Babies of Mine,

Tomorrow, we resume our school schedule and routine. Although school doesn't start for another week, your mama needs to report back early, and you, my three babies, will be back at school and daycare.

I have had the best time staying home with you this summer. It wasn't always perfect - you didn't always behave appropriately, and I didn't always handle that with loving patience - but we had fun. Each day, we had fun. 

We took walks and bike rides, went to parks, had small local adventures like fruit picking, and ventured longer distances to visit some of our favorite people. We spent a lot of time outside, and also enjoyed some relaxing time inside as well. We tried some new things (kayaking was a favorite!). We slept in (sort of...y'all are some early risers) and we stayed up late (not too late...your mama is an early-to-bed kinda gal). My time home with you was magical. It always is. 

While I LOVE having so much unstructured time with you guys all to myself, I look forward to the adventures ahead this school year.

Leland, you are about to begin your "real" school experience with kindergarten. I am so excited to have you be part of "my" world at school. I promise not to hover, but I love that I will get to witness so much of your kindergarten adventure. I know you will learn so much this year. You will learn to read, to express ideas in writing, about a gazillion math skills, and so much more. 

My wish for you as you begin this journey is not that you will be perfect at all these skills, but that you will enjoy the process. I hope you make mistakes and that you handle those mistakes with grace so that they can help you develop problem-solving skills. I hope you make friends that enjoy the same things as you, but also inspire you to try new (good) things that might be out of your comfort zone. I hope you are kind to all of your classmates and respectful to all of your teachers. Above everything else, I want you to be kind. If you struggle with academics, if you don't excel in sports or music or art, I hope you are kind. To every single person you ever meet. 

Alden, this year, you start preschool. Having you at school with me is something I've been waiting for. I won't get to see you all day long, but I will definitely get to see you more than before, and that makes me happy. This year, you will have a structured daily routine for the first time ever. I know this will be an adjustment for you, but I know you have amazing teachers who aim to make the transition a fun and exciting one. (One of the benefits of working at your school is that I've seen your teachers in action and I know they are fabulous.)

My hope for you is that you thrive in a structured setting. I hope you enjoy all of your new experiences and that you follow directions well. I mean, I know you're only three and you won't be perfect, but I hope you listen to your teachers the majority of the time. I look forward to hearing about your daily adventures, and watching you make new friends. This year is all about learning how to be at school and in a routine that isn't free play all day (though I know there will be plenty of playing!). Have fun, my middlest baby, and be good. 

Olivia, you are heading back to Dawn's full-time, which isn't a new situation for you. However, last spring we had a rough start to daycare because you refused to drink bottles. Now that you take a sippy cup for Dawn, I think things will go much smoother, but I know that you're not used to being there all day, every day. I know you're too young to understand why I leave you every day, but I hope you always feel safe and secure at Dawn's and always know that I am coming back for you. I hope you have fun and feel loved, and I really, REALLY hope you save your first steps and first word for when you're at home. Please don't let me miss that, sweet girl.

My three babies, you are loved beyond measure and I have cherished our summer together, but I am excited for the year ahead. I pray that we all have a wonderful year and I can't wait to see how much you learn and grow and change. 

Let's do this, guys. I know we will rock this school year. 

Eight months...

Dear Livvy Jo,

Today, sweet girl, you are eight months old. I have probably said this every month, but I think this was your fastest month yet. Perhaps the reason it has gone so fast is because you've had such a big month developmentally.

This month, you started crawling - really crawling, no more army-style. And you also started pulling yourself up to stand. You want to pull yourself up on everything, including in the bath tub, which is not exactly the safest place. You're fairly sturdy on your feet, but you do have the occasional fall, hence the shiner in this month's pictures. I'm okay with the crawling and the standing, but I'm not ready for you to walk yet, so don't rush it, please!

You are getting better with letting other people hold you, but you still prefer me. You've made it through church in the nursery two weeks in a row! When I leave the room, you cry and follow me, and then when you see me walking toward you, you kick your little legs and wave your arms with excitement. It's my favorite thing.

Even though I'm your favorite, you have some serious love for your brothers. Your face lights up when you seem them, and they love you right back. They are always asking to hold you and always trying to make you laugh.

We had a busy month:

• church dedication
• visited friends downstate
• a couple of beach days 
• blueberry picking (a new food you tried and liked)

You have tried a few new foods, but pears are still your favorite (and you like them mixed with anything), and you still don't like mango. You still nurse throughout the day (and night) as well. You take a sippy cup of breastmilk at daycare, but not for anyone else.

You have not been sleeping well lately. For the last week, you've only slept 1-2 hours at a time all night long. It's definitely tiring for me and Daddy, but we know this is just a phase and it will get better. We're hoping it gets better before school starts though. ;)

You weigh about 20 lbs, wear 12 month clothes, and size 4 diapers. You still have no teeth.

Olivia, sweet baby, I love watching you grow. You continue to fill our hearts with joy every single day. We love you more than we could ever put into words, and we are grateful every day that you are ours.

Love, Mom