K & J's Birthday Weekend, Part 1

This time last year I was busy planning and prepping for Kayleigh and Jourdan's big birthday bash. This year is very different. Since we are new in town, we couldn't really throw a 'party' since we don't know anyone. I must say- it is much easier on me this way. :) The birthday festivities started off great. Jourdan and Kayleigh played hookie from work on Friday and he took her to see her first movie in the theater. They saw Cars 2 and I couldn't believe they made it through the entire movie. He said Kayleigh would yell "Oh no!" any time the cars crashed. She also kept asking and answering herself "Daddy, Watch Mickey Mouse? No, watch Cars." Here are a few pictures he took. They aren't the best, but you get the idea.

Since this year K's birthday is on Wednesday, a work day. We decided we should celebrate this weekend and let her open her presents this morning and have all weekend to play with them. I set up the dining room and decorated a little. Here's what it looked like Friday night.

Arial View

We got up and ran around and took some pictures, got breakfast and then came home to open presents. Kayleigh had a blast and this was the first time she really understood how to open presents. She could do it last year and at Christmas but she would lose interest and wasn't really all that interested in what was inside. This year she wanted to open everything right then and there.

Opening the A-Z animal Zoo from her auntie Gentry,

What's in this big one? She was mad we couldn't get the trike inside out right then and there.

Mommy bought her a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse marching band set- what was thinking? :)

Having  a blast from the piano my parents got her.

Are you guys listening to me?

Oh! The trike from Grandma and Grandpa Kuehn. Note, Clifford from Aunt Walla in the back. :)

Composing

One woman-band!

Scooting along. No pedaling yet.

Oh these puzzles are so hard! :)

Already talking while driving, women drivers!

The happy meal box became a hat.....

Reminds me of Ace Ventura....

Then we got a knock at the door. A cute cookie bouquet from the Kuehn's. Here's Jourdan's old man side.

And Kayleigh's side.

Kayleigh trying out the cookie.

Then it was time to sing and have cupcakes!!! Again, things have been so crazy, we bought cupcakes. Worst- mommy- ever! :) She didn't seem to mind.

Kayleigh's cupcake. We went to Sprinkles cupcakes and got some, they were delish, but they aren't very cutesy. So we got one from Dimples cupcakes too.

Lighting the candle.

Blow it out! Without burning yourself please,

She asked for a spoon to eat her cupcake. Who knew!?

Eating a cupcake with a spoon.

So far, it's been a great weekend! We will post more as the festivities continue. Wish our friends and family could be here with us!

Kayleigh's 2 Year Pictures

Last year we took some pictures of Kayleigh in Gruene for her first birthday, which used to be so close to our home. Since Gruene is no longer an option, sniff-sniff... We decided to take Kayleigh out to take some pictures around Frisco. She had a blast. Since it has been so hot, we decided to go first thing in the morning. This explains why you see a sippy cup and bread in her hand- yes, she only likes plain bread. It can't be toasted, and she doesn't like butter, peanut butter, or even jelly on it.....

She was disapointed the door wouldn't open.... She really wanted cupcakes.

Cheese!

I Win! Worst First Day Ever!

Well friends, I shared with you about Kayleigh's first day of school- now it's my turn. I know I win the award for worst first day ever. I have already emailed this story to my sweet friends back in Boerne and they have shared a laugh over it. The only cool thing that came out of this- I have an awesome story to tell now... I guess....

So, here goes- let me just Tarantino this story for you and tell you that it ends with me throwing up. A lot! So if you have a weak stomach, I'd advise you to move along.

It all starts this past Saturday. We were up all night with K throwing up. I expected this since she just started daycare two weeks ago. I asked Jourdan if he could stay home with her Monday since she still wasn’t herself- there was NO WAY I’d miss the first day. So Monday comes, I get up and I’m ready! I had gotten everything ready the Friday before so I didn’t even have to think about school till Monday. We were off an rolling, then about 9 o’clock the nausea sets in. I know Jourdan is at home, so I email him and ask him to bring me some nausea meds we had left over from when we all got the stomach bug over the Christmas break when we came house hunting in Dallas- this place is cursed! He said of course and was going to meet me at 11 for my lunch time.

Around 10:30, I’m explaining what Reading Workstations should Look like and sound like. I’ve got my T-Chart all illustrated and it hits me- I’m going to throw up. I grab the nearest stack of notebook paper, toss it at a student and say “pass this out, write about what you did this summer” and book it down the hall. Our classrooms are all around a large open lab so there are computer aides at the desks outside most day. I holler at one of them, whom I barely know, if they can watch my class. It was those precious seconds that I should never have wasted.

 I’m literally running down the hall- 10 steps from the teacher bathroom- and up it comes. A word to the wise- DO NOT TRY AND COVER YOUR MOUTH- this will cause it all to deflect back IN YOUR FACE. Once I realize my plan of ‘catching’ it wasn’t working, I let loose. Once I can breathe again I look up and see a second grader en route to the bathroom who is looking at me like I just killed someone- I’m pretty sure I scarred her for life! All I could say was “It’s okay sweetheart, just go to class”. Then I realize , I need to throw up again. I run the last 10 steps, barf in the bathroom, then attempt to compose myself. I look in the mirror and it is ALL OVER ME! On my shirt (which was dark so it really showed up nicely), my pants, EVEN IN MY HAIR! So here I am, not even halfway done with my first day of school, I threw up all over the hall, I’m covered in it and I don’t know anyone. I can’t go back in my class because my kids will freak, plus I’m absolutely filthy. Luckily the computer aides were still outside, they called the nurse, who got me a change of clothes and the secretary called me a sub. ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! It was awful, how embarrassing, and what a way to make a first impression. I had to call in Tuesday too because I was still throwing up and had a fever. Anyway, SO, that’s how my first day was. Fun fun! It could always be worse! But, please say I win the award for worst-first-day ever!

Meanwhile, Monday night we ended up having to take K to the hospital because her doctor was afraid she was dehydrated as she had another round of vomiting/diarrhea and was refusing to eat or drink since she her tummy was hurting. She was really good at the ER considering. Jourdan and I were both miserably sick trying to keep it together. They didn't have to give her an IV, thank goodness. They have her nausea meds and then had her drink. When the doctor was done, she said goodbye and Kayleigh says back to her "Bye, Mickey Mouse!" Both Jourdan and I looked at each other like, okay, she's hallucinating! The doctor pointed to her ID Badge which had a Mickey sticker on it. Hahah! Even at 3am she doesn't miss much. We are so glad to finally be getting back to normal now.

Now for some funny comments that have come as a result of this mess....

People asked me if I was embarrassed to go back to work. The answer is no, not really. I think childbirth takes what little modesty you have left. Plus, what can you do? Hah....

I was talking with a new coworker, an older lady, who when she found out I threw up said "Oh, were you just nervous?" This made me laugh really hard....especially if you know me... :)

So that's it folks..... Let's hope the 2nd week goes better....

Sweet K on her first trip to the ER

Kayleigh in school = Mommy Meltdown!

Well, it's finally here. The moment I've been dreading all summer long. K is going to preschool. Kayleigh is used to being away from me as I've worked since she was born, but she has never been to 'school'. She has stayed at The Zoeller's house since she was 7 weeks old with a former (sniff sniff) coworker of mine's daugther who was 1 year older than Kayleigh. Those two were the best of friends and I never, ever had to worry about K. I knew Jeanette loved her like she was her own. They are a wonderful family and K loved them all. The Zoellers live on an awesome ranch too so K even got the bonus of interacting with animals. In fact, the thing I was MOST worried about when we found out we were moving was taking K out of Jeanette's home. She just loved to go and even would cry a few times when I went to pick her up! 

Here is K and her best friend Anna. Cool girls!

Anyway, it became clear that I would have to put K in a preschool since I don't know anyone here. I didn't want to just find a nanny online and put K with a stranger without having a reference by someone I knew. We found a preschool that we knew K would love. They have their own Spray Park, gymnastics class, computer lab, spanish class, you name it. It seemed to be perfect. Now all that was left to do was worry. We decided to start K on Monday of this week so that I could be available to get her if anything weird happened. I don't go back to work till Wednesday.

Day 1

Ready to go to school. No idea what is about to happen. Got my 'map-pack' though.

I have been talking up school for months now. We got in the car and headed over. I told Jourdan that I changed my mind and K and I will just drive to Mexico instead. :) When we get to school, K is very excited to see the fish. The front desk has a fishtank on the base. Then we go in the classroom. I show Kayleigh her name on the door.

 There are only a few kids and K is excited. The teacher offers her some yogurt. She sits down and says "Mommy, no have pink ale' (yes, ale' is her word for yogurt, don't ask me why), blue ale'." translation: Mommy, they don't have pink yogurt, they have blue yogurt.  

K scoping out the yogurt.

Now, I didn't want to draw out the goodbyes. I said bye and that mommy would be back after nap and that I loved her. She instantly said "No mommy!: and got up. I walked out and the teacher picked her up. I felt good that she found comfort in going to the teacher. We got in the car and tried to pull up the classroom webcam to see what she was doing but we didn't see her. This meant that she was in the corner by the door. I called an hour later and the teacher confirmed that she was waiting for me at door. She wasn't crying, but when they tried to move her away from the door, she would cry. My heart broke. I felt awful for her. How scary that must be, school is a totally foreign concept, she doesn't know anyone, she doesn't know what to expect, and worst of all- no mommy or daddy. Ug! Then it was snack time, she wouldn't come to the table. Then we happened to log in to check her out again. Jourdan saw her get out of the corner. She went to the toys and grabbed a xylophone. I thought, oh good. She's going to play. Then she ran, with the xylophone, to the corner to play alone. She finally moves to a table, with the xylophone to scope it out.

Progress, at least we are at a table and not in the corner. Look there's another anti-social boy, maybe K and that kid can be friends. :)



Then lunch rolls around and they get her to sit at the table. Thank goodness. She picks at her food and eats a little. But at least she wasn't in the corner.

Waiting for lunch to be served- with the xylophone. I'm sure the teachers loved that.

The xylophone even was taken to naptime. Again, I'm sure they were thrilled. I could see on the video that K wouldn't lay down. She just wanted to sit in the corner and watch for mommy. After nap was their gymnastics class which is in the cafeteria area in the middle of the building. As her teacher carried her to gymnastics, K said "Sleepy, go night-night" Yes, I'm sure you're tired K! When we came in to pick her up she was hanging from a chin up bar with 2 other kids. Her teacher said she did participate in the gymnastics class and she really liked that.When I looked at her, her eyes were red and her voice was hoarse. I'm sure she spent some time crying and it breaks my heart. When we got home she ate a TON because she hadn't eaten hardly anything all day.

My tired, hungry girl with a completely cleared dinner plate.

Her teachers agree that she acted exactly as they would expect since this is all new to her. They seem very patient and they said she will catch on soon. Mommy needs prozac! :) I expected drop-off on day 2 to be bad now that she knows mommy is leaving her.

Day 2

Again, I want to quit my job and run away to Mexico. I know it is good for K to socialize with the kids at school, but it's just so hard.When I drop her off, she cries but I assure her that mommy will be back after nap. When I get home I check the webcam and again, she's in the corner by the door waiting for me. Ug! I wonder how long I let her sit in the corner before I say uncle and quit my job! (Not really, but it's just awful to imagine her waiting for me for 7 hours). Snack time rolls around and she's at the table eating. Progress! Today is splash day so I'm sure she will have a blast outside. If she can only make it to recess.

K eating snack

After snack is circle time. Imagine my surprise when I see K front and center for circle time. She wouldn't even join in yesterday. She is practically in the teacher's lap! Teacher's pet! I could see her pointing to the book and talking.

K front and center

Splash pad time. There's K in the field picking flowers. She will race and touch the water then run back in the grass. Her teachers later told me that she made friends with a little girl named Reagan and they were running around holding hands outside. Yay!

Inside with her class waiting for everyone to change out of their splash clothes.(again, not in the corner) Yay!

Naptime, she's actually sleeping. Then at the end of naptime, we see K wake up. She's next to her buddy Reagan and they're playing with something. He he Sneaky girls.

Playing quietly

Today when we went to pick her up they said she did great today. She didn't cry nearly as much and actually participated. She said she even started a trend of sitting by the door. She said she's look over and there would be 5 kids sitting by the door by her. Reagan would go over to her and they would talk gibberish and then the teacher said that she heard Reagan say "Mommy come back". How sweet is that? So, the first thing K says to me when I pick her up? "Mommy came back!" So sweet! When we got in the car K said "Fun play friends" as in (I had fun playing with my friends). I'm cautiously optimistic. We are making progress and I'm so proud of our brave girl. If you think I'm being melodramatic about this- you don't have kids :) Ug! Hello gray hairs!

Blankee!

If you have been around me lately, you have probably heard me complain about K having to start school in one week! Already? I know she will love it, but I have this horrible vision of her being scared and alone at school crying. But I digress. We have been getting things ready for school, and my mom had gotten her an awesome nap mat for nap time. K loves it and always wants to get out her 'map-map'. I found out that since the school has cots already, she can't have the nap mat but she can use a blanket. (The nap mat will be great once she can get into our employee childcare at work because she will need it then). So, I decided that I wanted to make K a photo-quilt of all her favorite things and people to take with her to daycare. I have minimal sewing skills (i.e. I can sew a semi-straight line on a sewing machine). But, I made it a simple design and I think it turned out pretty cute. I have a new respect for quilters, there was a lot of math involved. The photo fabric was 8 1/2 by 11 and the squares I was quilting with were 6 inches. I wanted to get 2 photos out of each page of the photo fabric. This would mean I could have no bigger than 5 inch squares. So, I had to add an inch strip of minky dot around the photos to make them 6 inch squares. By the time you factor that in and the 1/4 inch seam allowance, that is some serious math. :)  I used minky-dot fabric on the back, which is K's favorite because it's soft. I had to include her favorite people: Mommy and Daddy, both sets of grandparents, Her BFF Anna (Annie is what she calls her), the Zoeller's, and her doggies. I also stuck pictures of her favorite toys/shows: Little Einsteins, Bubble Guppies, Mickey Mouse, Elmo, and Wonder Pets.

K checking it out after I finished.

Here it is. It's puffy so it's hard to lay it flat to get a good shot.

Let's see, mom. Yep. This will work just fine.

Checking it out. :)