Preschool a motivator?

I went walking with my friend today. She is also pregnant, but still comfortably in her 2nd trimester. Her son is in my daughter's kindergarten class and her 2nd son will be in the same grade as my 2 year old although he is at least 7 months her senior. Our 3rd's will not be in the same class even though they will be closer in age than our 2nd's. We found that interesting.
She is hoping for a girl. We're happy to be having a boy after 2 girls. So in that I am gleaning all that I can about boys from her. Her oldest son is the model boy child and I hope mine will follow suit - please?
Today she informed me that she has signed up her son for preschool next year. It's a 2 day a week break and the price wasn't too bad. I confided that I would love to put my daughter in something like that and she said she was old enough as long as she is potty trained. (Always a catch!)
We actually have been working on that recently, but I certainly cannot hope that she will be fully equipped by September. Her sister was a few months past 3 before she was fully trained for me. She also had the grand help of an expert potty trainer, her babysitter. I'm in this on my own for the first time and it's kind of intimidating really. And she is bound to regress once the addition to the family arrives in late June, right? I had thoughts to not even try until after the baby comes, but she showed signs of being so ready to start that I felt compelled to give it a try. So we've been at it aggressively on and off for about a week.
Today, she was presenting some resistance to her training. At dinner I mentioned to her that if she could potty train she might be able to go to school next year. She screamed in delight and begged down from her high chair.
As soon as she was released, she ran away. Moments later her sister came back to inform me that she had FILLED the potty. I didn't believe it. She tends to take at least 5-10 minutes before weilding trickling results and I was sure it had been less than a minute, not to mention she had on a diaper not easily removed. I had to see this for myself.
There is was - a half full potty. We dumped it out into the big potty and she delightfully flushed. Then she wanted to go again. She sat down and was reluctant to get up. After a little while I informed her that perhaps it was too early to try again at the moment.
I've not seen a child so excited about learning her ABC's and 123's at 24 months old. Where does she come from? Who knows? Maybe she will be ready?

Glucose Test

I passed! Yea! No three hour fasting blood sucking test!

Vacation Sick

This morning as we were getting ready to go, Jessica informed me that she hated school. I don't think she really hates school and I said, "Are you sure you're not just tired of school? It is the end of the year, you know." Being that this is her first year of public school she is still learning how it goes. I explained that most everyone gets tired when it's almost time for summer vacation and then after a long break we're all ready and excited to go back to school again. She thought this over and then said, "I'm vacation sick."
[Translation: A few weeks ago she explained to me that this means she is missing whatever she is sick for. I think she decided that because "homesick" means you miss home that you can replace "home" for anything that you are wanting at the moment.]

Ode to be 7 months pregnant

Glucose test

Hoping I pass

Please not another 3 hour fast

Hurting inside and out

Can't see my toes

Can my skin possibly stretch any further?

Kicking on both ends

Reminding me of the life within

Tossing and turning all night

So tired. Can't sleep.

Hunger pains and heartburn

Sorry can't lift that

Sorry can't clean that

Sorry can't remember that

Sorry can't help you with that

Wishing I could

Wishing for more energy

Don't forget the vitamins

And the water

Walking and stopping

Breathing through another Braxton Hicks

Just 10 more weeks

To hold that little one

In my arms

After the pain is done

So worth every minute

Ode to be almost 6

To have conquered the basic skills of man

Walking, Talking, Climbing, Biking

Reading, Writing and learning to tell time

Knowing what I want to say and what I want to play

School friends, parks and merry go rounds

Sand boxes, slides, and swings!

Cooking in an easy bake oven

Finding my own shows on TIVO

Big enough to care for my cat

And get my own treats

Birthday parties are fun

Christmas is magical

Santa is real

So is the Easter Bunny,

and the Tooth Fairy

No worries or cares

Except maybe the chores

That can wait til I'm done pretending

I'm a princess in a palace

Or a prima ballerina

Mom still tucks me into bed

Dad still kisses me goodnight

Even though I can count to 100

And read my own bedtime story.

Oh to be almost 6!

Ode to be 2

Glancing down at my tiny 2 year old
laying down beside me
sucking her thumb with one hand,
holding her "po" with the other
while I rub the soft skin of her back.
The world must be so big from 32 inches tall.

Her little feet padding double time to keep up.
What comfort to know all is well.
No problem too big that mama can't fix

Hugs and kisses abound
Oh to be 2.

Branch Campout

We just got back from our branch campout to Lake Somerville. I contemplated a hotel room since I am 7 months pregnant, but economics won out and I got a double high air mattress instead.
We put up our tent for the first time in two 1/2 years since we bought it. We'd forgotten what it was supposed to look like, but not to worry, it was a nice tent with double rooms for the girls and us. I was pleased with the space it offered and we all did farely well last night - well once the noise died down long enough for me to sleep.
I must say I have the best behaved kids. I can only be grateful. While the other families fought their little ones to go to sleep last night, mine informed me it was time and were both out by 9:30pm before anyone else. I tucked them in after a quick prayer, kissed them good night and away I went. The other moms asked if my kids were asleep. I said, "I think so. I don't really hang around to find out." They couldn't believe that even in an unknown environment they would just do that. I never thought about it. They both had their security blankets (Lily had her pillowcase) and that was enough familiarity for them I guess. They both reported a good sleep last night so. . .?
Jhonny was on call and so he was there and gone and there and gone again. At least he was available to set up and take things down. He even slept a bit which was nice. It got kind of cold and I was happy to have him to snuggle up against. I'm also extremely grateful for the allergy shot he got a few weeks ago. No snoring!! I was grateful for that while we slept under a moss covered tree and on top of grass.
We went on a boat ride this morning. I pondered as we scooted across the waves of the lake about having a boat. Jhonny has been mentioning this need for one. I of course look at the bank accounts and deny the need. However I was thinking how nice it would be to have one to build fun memories with our kids. My grandparents had one while my dad and his siblings grew up and all they talk about are the stories of going water and snow skiing as a family.
Skiing is in my blood. Over the years, I've miraculously learned how to do both. I could be better with more practice, but I still enjoy a good ski trip. I looked at my kids and wondered if they would get those same experiences some day. I hope so. There's nothing quite so exhilarating as skidding across the wake in a water weenie and being thrown off to tumble into the water.
It would be nice to even go out in a row boat and go fishing on the lake. A row boat can't be too expensive can it? I wouldn't know - I've never perused prices in that area.
As my pains got worse from chasing Lily and walking back and forth from one area to another, I realized that in my state, water skiing (although available this morning), swimming in the freezing lake, or even hiking on the trails were out of the question. Jessica had her fill of the freezing cold water earlier and since Jhonny got the call to leave for work and was gone, I decided it was time to pack up the kids and go home. They didn't complain.
We'll go back someday. It was fun, but I imagine the whole experiencing being WAY more fun when I'm not pregnant. I would not have made a good pregnant pioneer. I feel for the person or ox that would have had to carry me across the plains to avoid a premature labor.
Goodbye Lake Somerville. Until next year or sooner!?!

Leftover S'mores in the microwave. (I forgot to take the camera on the trip)