The frequency of my posts may be some indicator of how busy life is these days. As the kids grow older and older before my eyes, we rush to and fro checking off milestones, it seems, on a daily basis now. I look at my "babies", now 2 and 4 years old, and wonder where did the time go?
Bucket has now officially entered the ranks of kindergarten. Though she is one of the youngest in her class, she seems so grown up. I walked her to class the first day with a lump in my throat and holding her little hand so tight. I watched as she sat down at her desk and began immediately to befriend the little girl beside her, totally oblivious to my presence. I kissed her goodbye and walked out. She smiled and waved, completely prepared to take on her day. Now, I am not a helicopter mom by any means, but separation anxiety set in. How could this happen? How is my baby girl so grown up? I am excited for Megan to begin this next stage of her life. No doubt it will be enjoyable doing things with one child in tow and spending quality time with Jackson, but I truly miss her.
Now that I have survived the emotional turmoil of the first week, we are concentrating on making our new routine more, well, routine. We are NOT morning people, nor will we ever be. The early morning wakeup has taken a physical toll on me. I'm praying that 6:00a.m. becomes easier every day. I'm happy to report that we haven't been late for school once all week (a sincere concern of my husband's).
The boy is truly a BOY now! Running, jumping, climbing...he is never still. Dirt just hangs off of him and a crust seems to form in various places on his body. I'm finding rocks in the dryer and hot wheels in my dishwasher. Yesterday, I followed a trail of muddy little footprints leading from the dog water on the patio, through the kitchen, and down the hall to the bathroom. He must have known what he had done and logically, was cleaning his feet with toilet water and the bath mat. Jackson is now in preschool two days a week. My separation angst wasn't quite as bad leaving him at preschool as he went periodically through the summer. And after all, he is the second child. Why wouldn't he get shafted?
Potty training has inevitably begun, despite my best efforts. With Megan, I was so excited to begin her training. Dreaming of days without diapers, we began before she was two years old. Being the stubborn child that she is, she took her sweet time and was nearly three before going in the potty. Number two is exciting, of course, but there just isn't as much time as there used to be because you're divided - your attention is divided, your patience is divided, your threshold for crap is divided (though, miraculously, not your love...that doubles). However, Jackson has decided he is ready and pulls his pants down at every opportunity (already the little man). He pooped on the potty for the first time today. I proceeded to cheer and jump up and down congratulating him on his victory. He flushed the potty and trotted out to get his reward (candy) and went on about his day. It may have been a fluke, but at least it's a step in the right direction.
At the end of each day, before complete and utter exhaustion sets in, I am thankful for my little blessings and the fleeting moments that burn precious memories onto my heart.
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