Firsts...

It was a pretty big day around here. Holland had her very first day of pre-school. She has been terribly excited about this for months now. We were able to make it to some Summer playdates with other children from her school as well as meeting her teacher a handful of times and could not wait until the real thing.

She went to bed excited last night and woke up eager to begin her school day this morning. Right before we got out of the car she did say, "I think I might be a little scared." But she walked in looking proud and happy. She was a tad shy (as expected...) in the beginning but after about 10 minutes of settling in she gave me a big hug and didn't even look back to watch me leave. It felt weird!

And of course, it went totally fine! I wasn't the least bit concerned. I think she is really going to love going to "school" twice a week. I am really looking forward to helping out in the class for the first time in two weeks. It will be so entertaining to watch these little children's interactions.

And onto the 2nd first of the day: While Holland was in pre-school, I took Talin to a little one's story/song time at the library. It felt so strange but fun to just have Talin with me and doing something aimed (somewhat) at his age group. I also look forward to just coming home with him some days and playing, just the two of us. Or letting him take a nap while I read! Ah, that sounds heavenly!!

And the 3rd first of the day: Talin actually fell asleep completely on his own from playing in the playpen. He was tired, but I had just tried nursing and putting him down for a nap to no avail. So, I placed him in the playpen so I could get lunch made and he didn't seem to mind one bit. He played with his toys for maybe 2 minutes, laid his head down and fell asleep! Sounds so simple and ordinary, but this is so not ordinary in our household. And he even slept for over an hour despite the noise from his screaming older sister and the crazy, barking dog. Maybe he will start to do this more frequently. It sure would make it easy for me!!

And, before it leaves my memory forever, I need to write down something Holland told me the other night. I went to book club and came home around 9:30 and of course Holland had insisted on waiting up for me so that I could read her bedtime story. And she was (as she often is lately) just insanely sweet and loving. My favorite quote of hers she told me that night:" Mom, I love you forever and ever and I will never change my mind and unlove you. " So, since she has said that, we have told each other this to each other multiple times. She is a special girl.

a little stunt man and a growing girl

What a busy week or so! I feel like I really do not every have time to do anything right now as Talin is fast as lighning and into EVERYTHING! I know it has been 3 years since we were at this stage with Holland, but I swear he is just SO much more active! He can now stand up in the middle of the floor; and does every opportunity he gets. And now he has raised the bar and stands on anything he thinks will be a little challenge: the bed, the couch, a box, a chair, etc, etc. And he climbs! He likes to pull himself onto a basket that is on a rack we have and then just hangs. He can't figure out how to get down so he just screams. Comical, but scary. No steps yet, but I don't imagine it is too far away.

Holland starts preschool next week! Just twice a week for two hours at a time. But, I think she is really going to have a blast. I will be helping out a few times a month also and am really looking forward to watching her interact. She is really such a smart girl. I really have been pretty bad on working with her on little things. We talk about everything that goes on, but no pressure. (and she's still THREE! So, not a concern of mine...) We had talked about the sounds that letters make quite awhile back and then I just haven't... But, today in a 5 minute car ride she got down pat letters "H" "S" and "T". So, just after those few minutes I could say a word "horse, store, sunshine, toes" And she would know which letter it starts with. And even added some more words of her own. I was impressed. I suppose some children are reading at this age, and I totally believe she could be if we had pressed the issue. But, I am happy at her/our pace.

One of my favorite things that Holland says right now is "DAISY LIONS!" She calls dadelions daisy lions and always says it with so much gusto. She does know it is not the "correct" word, but just likes it; I do, too. And she has to run over and grab it when she sees one and blow it all over. I love watching her excitement. It's those little moments that make the crazy hectic life we live all worthwhile.

On the move

I feel like it has been a super busy week. This past week for 2 days we went on a little getaway- just the 4 of us. This was actually the first time we have taken a little vacation as a family of 4, just us :) And it was nice. We had a great time. We were in just a beautiful setting, in Whidbey Island, WA and enjoyed great weather and stayed busy! Holland loved going swimming, go karts, jumping on the hotel beds, and she actually said her favorite part was "hiking through the magical forest". Talin just loves exploring new territory and loved that. His fave was the kleenex. video:

And now in 2 days we will spend 4 days with Joe's family at an awesome house about 2 hours east of where we are. Holland is just looking forward to swimming some more. The girl LOVES to swim. I am a little nervous about Talin though. The boy is into everything. He is just SO fast. He can now even pull himself to a stand. I say he will definitely be walking before a year. Who knows though... He still is not saying any "first" words, no mama, dada, bye, etc. I kind of think he says ball, but it might just be coincidence since he likes to plays with balls and says "ba" all the time.

And Holland has said SO many laugh out loud statements this past week and I cannot recall anything off the top of my head! I am really going to be upset at myself in a few years. So, I am going to try to just have a notebook I keep around all the time! We'll see if I do better next week...

it's hard...and scary... and I don't want it to stop. ever.

This past week has been extra hard being a mama for some reason. But even at its hardest, I totally realize that one day I would give anything to relive today. So, I try to take comfort in that- even when Holland is breaking out in random high pitched screams and Talin cries the second I put him down even if I been holding him for x amount of time. But, I love them so...

And Talin scares the crap out me. Seriously. I don't recall every being overly scared about Holland choking at this age. And she didn't. She might have gagged here and there, but nothing to make your heart stop. This baby scares me so much. I am so entirely thankful for everyday with him because sometimes I don't even want to think about what my life would be like if I just wasn't watching him for 5 minutes...

He chokes all the time. I do not even give him food choking hazzards as I know that he can't handle it, but he manages to find something. Yesterday, he was in full sight and playing around while I folded clothes. I see his eyes get big, his face get red, no sound comes out and instantly I know what is going on. I run over to him, start swooping his throat passage like I am used to by now. I can't feel anything! I panic and seriously let out a wail. Such a scary feeling. Then he lets out a cry. So, I feel relief that maybe it worked its way down, whatever the culprit was... Then, he can't breathe again. I just frantically start swooping his throat again, and feel something adhered to his esophogus. I manage to get it out- one of the little tabs that sticks to a bandaid. (Holland is totally addicted to bandaids, so not surprising, but I had no idea that was around...) It was such a horrible,horrible feeling. I am beyond thankful to have my baby boy sleeping so sweetly right next to me. But, what if I didn't feel that? I just don't even want to think about it. And sometimes I seriously think I should just keep him in a little bubble for the next year.

crawling baby

Yes; as the title says- we have a full fledged crawling baby in the house! It really is so fun and I think that Talin is crazy proud of his newest accomplishment, as he should be! And of course- his favorite bee line- straight to Modoc's food and water bowl! The poor dog will probably not get many chances to eat and drink other than when we are out or Talin is sleeping for a few months.

And Talin can and does pull up on anything and everything! I just love watching the gleam in his eye as he pulls himself to a standing position in a place he hasn't before. He is just amazed with what he sees! And then comes the destruction! I swear this baby is so "boy"! He pulled our dvd player onto the ground in about .3 seconds today. ...something I am pretty sure Holland would have never done at this age. Ah, but I love this kid so much. He has so much personality, yet he is still just insanely sweet.

And Holland has also been super sweet lately! Seriously, sometimes I wonder how I lucked out so much with these fabulous kids. Tonight I went to book club. I was away from her for less than 2 hours. And while she was totally fine while I was gone, when I got home she just kept telling me how much she missed me and that she loves me soooo much. If I am ever in need of an ego boost- this girl does it for sure!

And Holland is taking swim lessons! This week is her second week. It does kind of suck because last week was awesome! There were 2 great young teachers and she got to jump off the diving board! This week though, there is only one young teacher so that means no jumping. Oh well...

Oh, and this past week the kids got to visit with Granny and Pop (my parents). Holland really had a good time and keeps asking when they will be back.

And tomororw I will post a video! And maybe more...

milestones...

I just love the baby stage that T is in. Almost everyday he does something for the first time. All of these "firsts" are just the sweetest.

The last 2 weeks have been been 2 weeks of major changes for Talin. The little guy can now do a pretty impressive army crawl and can pull himself onto pretty much anything. Last night for the first time, he successfully went from standing against the table to the couch. And then he just squealed with excitement! The sweetest thing ever. Tonight he thought he would just try to take a step I think, but was not as successful with that venture. I think he sees crawling as requiring too much effort and will be happy to skip right to crawling. I am not in a hurry for this though. He is only 8 months old still!

Holland has said some really sweet things recently, but I am forgetting most of them of course. Yesterday, she was playing with her magnadoodle and had written "HOLLAD". So, I just glanced at it and said, "Oh wow- you wrote your name!" And then Holland just looks at me like I am a moron and tells me that it doesn't say her name, there is no N! She was just writing something else. She also recently got to see her friend Cooper who told her that she was his best friend. Holland's response? "Thank you". Ha. At least she is polite.

two recent pictures:

A good day

Today was a rare day that I actually felt happy for almost the whole day. I often just feel totally frustrated and overwhelmed. Not to mention parenting a very opinionated 3.5 year old can be challenging to say the least! But, today for some reason (not complaining!) Holland was really just sweet and loving and made me smile a lot. Minus turning the hose on Talin... But, at least she was totally remorseful about that, ha! I think her great mood had something to do with the face that she was wearing her favorite shirt today. When I asked her if she wanted to wear it, she was beyond happy. If only it took something that simple everyday! But, I receieved many "Mom, your the best" and the likes today. Ahh- music to my ears.

And still no crawling going on... I thought for sure. Still soo close! Poor guy just gets super frustrated. He did learn to sit up on his own! And he can now pull himself up on the couch/coffee table! Go Talin! This is already going to fast for me. STOP! And, this is when the injuries start. I hate that part for sure. Luckily, Talin generally just wants some love and maybe to nurse and then is a happy baby again within 2 minutes. Man, I love him!