Posts Tagged ‘milestones’

Tooth Fairytale

Monday, March 20th, 2017

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
Something must be in the air! In addition to Tate, Haley recently lost her first tooth! She was really proud of herself when it finally came out. I was so excited for her. She couldn’t wait for the tooth fairy to come.

Haley wrote a really sweet letter to the tooth fairy asking what “Tooth Fairy Land” was like. Fortunately, the tooth fairy left a letter for Haley describing her home and saying that she hoped Haley could visit her one day! She also left Haley with a ten dollar bill! (Haley’s grandpa may have pulled some strings there.) The tooth fairy also reminded Haley that she needs to listen to her mother when it comes to brushing and flossing daily. I like this lady!

Haley was extremely nervous about her tooth coming out. So it was really great to see Haley reach this important milestone with enthusiasm and courage. She was really happy with the way things turned out—being ten dollars richer probably helped!
Enjoy your week.

Happy New Year

Friday, December 30th, 2016

From Friday Mom – Erin
New years eve is a little different with an almost two year old and almost four year old.  Instead of fun parties and champagne, we will have pajamas, my parents’ couch, some football, and champagne.  Staying up until midnight will guarantee and even sleepier morning when the kiddos wake at 6 am and tip toe their way into our bed.  And the day spent on the couch watching football will give way to park trips, snack time, and mommy watch this, watch this.

In most ways, our post-kid lives are the new normal.  And most days and weekends I don’t spend much time longing too terribly hard for “the way things were.”  Fortunately, I have never actually been a huge fan of NYE.  So I don’t stress, make the best of it, and look forward to the first year Rory will be able to stay up late to ring in the new year with us.

For now, we’ll teach him about resolutions, celebrate, and wait with anticipation for what the new year has in store.

Last Day of School!

Wednesday, May 25th, 2016

We said goodbye to our friends last week. This week, Jack and Tate said goodbye to their school. Our emotions ran high over the last several days. I’m excited one minute and sad the next. Honestly, I didn’t think it would be this hard to leave. Our youngest is finishing Kindergarten, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around how quickly the years are flying by. In two years, Jack will be in middle school. Wow!

We really enjoyed our little elementary school. The teachers and staff were nothing but fantastic to both Jack and Tate. Even though schools in our state aren’t highly rated, I’m confident my boys received a great foundation for their education. Am I nervous about their transition? Absolutely, but I know that no matter where the boys go, there will be an adjustment period.

I delivered a note and some freshly picked flowers to the school office, thanking them for four wonderful years. To my surprise, when I set the vase on the counter, I was in tears. I have no idea where the burst of emotions came from, but those tears reminded me that we are all going to miss the great teachers/staff, the fun learning environment, and the friendships my kids enjoyed everyday. I’m looking forward to seeing what the new school offers. Hopefully it’s the same, if not better, than what we are used to. We are looking forward to a fresh start and a new adventure in life.

 

Heartfelt Goodbyes

Wednesday, May 18th, 2016

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Whatever your age, it’s tough saying goodbye to friends. As a military spouse, I feel like saying goodbye is always part of the deal. It’s never easy, but we have to do it. This time is different. My kids are the ones who must say goodbye, and start a new life in a new place.

Last week, Jack’s classmate friends had a small going away party for him. We met at a Mexican restaurant and enjoyed plenty of chips and salsa. The kids sat at their own table and were giggling the entire time. I watched Jack and his buddies interact, and had some sad feelings. He was comfortable. He has built relationships with each of them. A couple of the kids started preschool with him, almost 7 years ago. They all grew up so quickly, and it was neat watching them grow together. I quickly shook off those sad feelings and smiled at the camaraderie all the kids shared. I hope Jack builds those same types of friendships in the months to come.

Tate doesn’t have as many friends as his big brother, but he made a very close friend this year named, Livi. Livi has been his “buddy” since the day he started Kindergarten. Jack will giggle and tell you it’s Tate’s girlfriend. I know they are just two great kids, but I’ve never seen Tate so happy as when he is around Livi. I’m not certain he understands fully that he won’t see her after next week. We made sure to have one last play date before their final tennis lesson this week.

I am confident Jack and Tate will eventually make great friends in our new town. I know an adjustment period will take place (for me too), and that’s okay. The only thing that makes me happy is that they are both still relatively young and we are no longer a full time military family, so we don’t have to move anymore. We can all make lifelong friends in our new home without the dread of another move.

We’re Moving!

Wednesday, May 11th, 2016

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Yes, you read that right. We’re moving! Soon, we’ll be packing up our family belongings and moving to suburban Atlanta, for good. Our family is ready to finally put roots down in a small town we can call home. It’s something we’ve been looking forward to for some time.

After years of military orders, my husband got off active duty. For the first time in our adult lives, WE finally got to decide where we want to live. As a pilot, we could live anywhere in the US, but we felt anchoring in Atlanta was the easiest option to minimize his commute and still enjoy small town living with big city access. We are excited the most for what the area offers our children; great schools, neighborhoods, sports and opportunities.

When Jack and Tate learned the news of our upcoming move, they were a little hesitant. We moved to Mississippi when Jack was 2.5 and several months later Tate was born here. This town is all they know. They love their school, their friends, and can give you directions to their favorite places. However, once we drove them around our new town while house hunting, they got more excited. Now they’re eager to move, try new things, meet new friends, and have more space to play. The neighborhood pool and water slide definitely helped ease their concerns.

Although Mississippi wasn’t our favorite duty station, we did meet a lot of wonderful people over the combined nine years we’ve lived here. Some friends have moved on, but others call it home. We’ll always have fond memories we made here of the friends who bent over backwards to help us when we didn’t have family nearby, and the military friendly community we thrived in.

Cheers to a new adventure!

 

Walking and Talking

Monday, October 5th, 2015

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
Hudson took his first steps a few days ago! It was thrilling. I propped him up, encouraged him, and after a couple of tries, two steps! A few minutes later, we had three. By the time Haley came home from school that afternoon, he was doing six at a time as if to say, “Check me out, Sister!” Haley was so excited and proud. I relished the sweet moment.

Hudson also finally has two teeth poking out of his gums. Haley has gotten into her head that the main point of having teeth is talking. Sure, teeth play a pivotal role in being able to talk, but I find it so funny that that’s her focus. Although Hudson isn’t reciting Shakespeare just yet, his babbling has increased. Lately not only is he giving us lots of “Mamamama” and “Dadadada” but he can say his favorite food: “nana”, also known in English as “banana”.

His new milestones remind me how quickly children develop after age one. It’s also a reminder that he can handle much more. Second children sometimes get lost in the shuffle, but I know I need to take the time to read to him specifically, teach him his body parts, challenge him at the baby gym and playground, etc. I was always on top of these tasks with Haley because it seemed like there was really nothing else to do! One more child has somehow made me exponentially busier. But I need to make the time. At this age, Hudson is a sponge and it’s my job to make sure he has plenty to absorb.

And We’re Off

Friday, September 18th, 2015

From Friday Mom – Erin:

Charlotte is crawling.  Everywhere.

She actually started crawling for the first time while we were out of town last weekend.  My mom sent us a video as we were waiting in the security line at the airport.   It showed Charlotte chasing Rory around the upholstered ottoman in our family room, slowly but surely.  She would scoot her knees forward one at a time, then flop to her stomach, reach forward, pull herself to seated, and start all over again.

She’s still in the early stages of her mobility.  On slippery surfaces, for example, she sometimes has difficulty getting traction.  But on the carpet of her classroom at school or the padded tiles of our playroom floor, she is swiftly picking up speed with each passing day.

In addition to bringing with it the beginning of an even more chaotic time period as the parents of two young children, Charlotte’s newfound mobility is giving us a further lens into her personality.  I am never bored watching her amazement as she creeps over to a new toy, picks it up, and examines it closely.  The intensity on her face when she sets out to crawl across a room reminds me of pictures I’ve seen of myself as a young child– eyes focused steadfast on a goal.

Rory isn’t entirely sure how he feels about Charlotte being able to creep over and steal his toys.  It’s definitely launching a new era in their own sibling dynamic, as a result.  So far, he’s just as excited as we are to see her move.  Here’s hoping the novelty doesn’t wear off too soon.

Kindergarten – Round Two

Wednesday, August 12th, 2015

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Like many places across the country, school starts early in Mississippi. School is officially back in session, and it’s hard to believe it’s that time of year again.  Even harder to believe, my baby, Tate, just started Kindergarten.

As cliché as it sounds, where has the time gone? As I walked Tate up to the school, the last five years played over and over in my mind. I thought about all the memories of the day he was born, first smiles, first words, first steps, and now Kindergarten. My baby is starting a new chapter in his life.

For the past year or so, I’ve been concerned about Tate’s first day of Kindergarten.  He is young for his grade, and my husband and I went back and forth wondering whether or not we should send him to Kindergarten or wait another year.  Eventually, we decided he was ready, and registered him last spring.  I still felt some anxiety hoping on his adjustment to a whole new world of independence. Of course I had some concerns when Jack started.  However, this time around, I’m more anxious because it’s our last child to start this wonderful school adventure.  I guess I’m a little sad that I won’t have a buddy to share my afternoons with.  I am pretty confident my feelings will shift soon, but it was very hard to fight back those tears when I waved goodbye to Tate on his first day of Kindergarten.

When I picked up Jack and Tate from school, they were both talking a mile a minute about what fun their day was.  Tate immediately said how cool computer lab was and he wanted to do it again the next day.  Unfortunately, Tate did have one mishap.  He walked into the wrong lane at pick up and the teacher raised her voice a little more than he would’ve liked and scared him.  I’m thankful she did because he was crossing the lane where cars were moving.  A lesson learned, and now he knows what to do while waiting in the car rider line.  I’m sure there will be several other adjustments and learning of the ropes until he gets more comfortable with his new school.  I’m just glad he had a smile on his face when I greeted him after a long, hot day of school.

I’m excited about this year.  It’s a new milestone for me, too.  One I never thought would happen so quickly.  Both of my children are in elementary school.  It’s bitter sweet, but I’m proud of myself for reaching this point, and proud of my boys on their triumphs – big and small- over the years.  I can only imagine how I’ll be feeling when I send them off to college.

Faith, Family and Friends

Monday, August 10th, 2015

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
My husband Joe and I are of two different faiths, and we’ve elected to raise our children in both. It’s been wonderful exposing them to different belief systems and traditions. Haley is already starting to understand her varied cultural background and seems to appreciate it. Being raised in New York City, this is far from a unique quality. Here, it would be stranger to be a “purebred!”

Over the weekend, we took a big step in our spiritual life as we had Hudson baptized in Joe’s childhood church—the same place Haley was baptized almost exactly four years prior, and the same place Joe himself was baptized as a baby. It was so lovely. Even though the church is not one we usually attend, all of the congregants welcomed us with open arms. Hudson was incredibly well behaved—only seeming slightly displeased to have some water dribbled on his head. But after giving the pastor a quick stink-eye, he was his happy baby self.

Following the service, Joe’s parents hosted a very fun barbeque lunch. We got to visit with old friends and family, and everyone fussed over the baby, of course! Haley loved running around with some girls her age. The key to keeping children happy at an outdoor summer barbeque? Balls, bubbles and sidewalk chalk! The grown-ups enjoyed themselves as much as the kids. I was happy to see several people I just don’t get to see nearly enough. Sadly, the party whizzed by and it was soon time to say goodbye. I always hope it won’t be so long until we see our loved ones again. It was a great example to our kids about what life is truly all about.

Enjoy your week!

On the Move

Friday, June 26th, 2015

From Friday Mom – Erin:

It’s official– Charlotte is no longer sedentary. And we are in trouble.

The little wiggle worm has figured out how to inch worm across the floor on her back. She is somewhat deliberate in her efforts, making it hard to leave her on the floor unattended for any great length of time.

It took a solid eight months before her brother reached this point, so we are a little overwhelmed that we got to this point so quickly. It is yet another way in which they are two very different children, despite some pleasant similarities. We are working on getting her to sit up on her own in hopes that we can buy a little more time, but something tells me this is just the first of many ways this little one is going to keep us on our toes.