Lila+Preschool=Where Did the Time Go?

Today was Lila's first day of preschool. I was a bit sad to send her off. As she walked down our stairs, out the door and into Matt's truck, pink backpack on her back, I had to bite my lip in order to stop myself from crying. Where has the time gone?

Matt dropped her off and she spent 30-minutes in hourly care before being transferred to Adventures (her preschool room). Since Matt passes by her school every morning, he'll drop her off each Tuesday and Thursday morning. He has to be at class at 8:30. So, she spends 30-minutes in hourly care (her class runs from 8:30-11:30). Olivia's preschool is in a different town, in the opposite direction. So, Matt bringing her will save me having to make the trip twice.

I switched Olivia's preschool days to Tuesday's, Wednesday's and Thursday's (she's excited about this because her best friend attends preschool on these days). That way I can have a little free time on Tuesday's and Thursday's when they are both in school. Selfish? Maybe. However, I have to drive into Shawnee, KS for allergy shots every Tuesday morning. They are quite pleasant appointments (the shot is in my butt). So, it's not like I'm really out there enjoying myself. Though, I will have a chance to stop at Whole Food's on my way home, or do some quick errands. Thursday mornings, I'll start taking a spinning class. So, it's not like I'll be at a coffee shop, sipping coffee and eating bon bons with friends. But, I did feel a bit guilty. For all of two seconds.

Lila loved her first day of school. She said she had strawberries and bread for a snack. Later, she changed her story and told me that she was read a story about strawberries and bread. She also played outside. No crying (Lila's the sensitive one - so this was a bit surprising). Olivia's been going to school for two years now and I'm sure Lila was excited to finally get her turn. In fact, she went to bed crying because she wants to go to school again tomorrow.

Don't grow up too quickly, sweetie!

Quotes that Warm the Heart

Mom: "Olivia, where did you learn to be such a good mom to your babies? At school?"

Olivia: "Actually, I learned it all from you when you had Lila."

Lila after she ripped silk off her favorite blanket: "Don't worry, Grandma Patty will put it back together with tape." (Grandma Patty sews)

Shelburne Farms

Lila checking out manure - she was very very interested in it and I had a hard time pulling her away from it.

So, obviously, I'm behind on blogging. So, I thought I'd finally post some pictures of the traditional trip to Shelburne Farms we take with the kids each year. It's always a blast and I highly recommend a visit (as I know I've said before in previous posts) there if you're ever in Vermont with your family.

Lila kept trying to climb up and into the pen with the goats and sheep.

This little guy knows he's better off getting away from this little "chick."

Cousins sharing a ride.


Just the right size for Lila Kate

I'll try to post some more updates over the next day or two. I'm sure you're all interested in our new home and I'll fill you in soon. We've been busy having tons of fun!

Unawareness

I have some friends, back home, who like to call me unaware. Unaware of where I'm going, what I am doing, saying, and how "unaware" I am when it comes to paying attention to, you know, important things, obvious things (they call me this out of affection, I'm sure...).

So, today, I would have been called "unaware" when my crying toddler grabbed her ear and said, "Ear dirty, mama. Mama, eeeeaaaaarrrr dirrrrrttty!"

What did I do (or not do)? I rubbed her head, noticed her hair was sticky on one side and thought, "Oh, she must have gotten grape juice, from the grapes she's eating, on her hair. We'll wash it out at bath time tonight."

In my defense, I will say, that when she complained of a dirty ear at the crack of dawn this morning, I did, briefly, look at said ear. Fatigue more on my mind than anything else, I very quickly, and casually looked over a bit of, what I thought was, ear wax.

By mid-morning, however, I could not take the crying and feverish rage any longer. She had to be seen by a doctor before the weekend set in. When we arrived this afternoon, the doctor gently pushed aside her hair to look in her ears and let out a soft gasp. I kid you not, the girl had yellowish fluid oozing out of her ear, down the side of her face and into her hair. Yup, you guessed it: Ruptured Eardrum

She's now on pain meds, ear drops, antibiotics and probiotics. My dear Lila should be back to her normal self by the end of the weekend (we hope).

I, on the other hand, had to apologize to my dear daughter for being so unaware! For days now, the poor kid has had an ear drum about to burst and when it did, I was oblivious!

You all don't have to guess who's getting spoiled rotten this weekend!

Grandpa's Girls

There were lots of tears this morning as we brought grandpa to the airport. His two weeks here flew by so quickly! The girls, however, have gotten used to grandpa being here when they wake up every morning. He also filled in the void during the evenings because daddy has been working 70 or more hours a week. He rarely comes home in time for dinner, and less and less often is he home when they go to bed at night. So, they certainly loved having grandpa around! He made bedtime fun - bouncing them on his legs and singing songs he sang to me as a young child. "More, More!" and "One more time, grandpa," was shouted nightly.

Lila, always ready to hand out hugs and kisses, doesn't need much bribing to give grandpa a hug and a kiss. Liv isn't really the huggy-kissy type. Last night, however, she didn't need much prodding

On the way to the airport, Olivia whined, sadly curling out her bottom lip, that she didn't want grandpa to leave. I tried to explain to her that he had to go home because grandma really missed him and wanted him back home. I explained that she and grandpa would try to come again in the Spring.

She then went on and cried that she wanted grandma "Ms. Patty" and grandpa "Mickey" to come too and and asked why they haven't come to see her yet. My father said, "You should call them and ask them to come." To which she replied, "Ok, I will." So, grandma and grandpa McQuilton can expect a call soon from one, pouting, three-year-old!

In the mean time, Liv is having a sad day, missing grandpa who just left and daddy, who is back in the US for a wedding. I am doing my best to cheer her up - pictures and home videos usally do the trick. So....that may be how we spend our weekend. Looking at pictures, scrapbooks and watching home videos! Fun times ahead.

Ignore Husband, Listen to Dad

Lila's peanut butter mustache really compliments her new look!

My dad is in town (wish you were here, mom!). No sooner did he arrive, he asked me to cut Lila's bangs. I blogged about her first haircut a couple of weeks ago and mentioned that I wanted to grow out her bangs. She will not, however, keep hair clips or ties in her hair for more than a few minutes. DH had nicknamed her, "sheep dog."

DH has been asking me, pleading with me, for weeks, if not months, to cut her bangs. I ignored him. And ignored him. But, as soon as my father walked through the door and told me she must get a cut, I relented.

I guess there's something about dads. Even after all these years, I still find myself listening to him!

Lila Kate Gets a Trim

Lila got her first haircut over the weekend. David, our family stylist, came over Saturday morning. While my highlights were setting, he wet to work on Lila.  I want to grow out her bangs. So, he just trimmed her hair up a bit and fixed the haircut Olivia had given her several weeks ago (so, I guess this was her second haircut!).

She was a little fightened when he sprayed her hair down with water. Otherwise, she tolorated the procedure well.

Embracing Extended Breastfeeding

Yesterday morning, at our Monday morning playgroup, Lila walked up to me as I was sipping tea and chatting with some of the moms. Whining, she reached over and tugged on the clasp of my Bravado tank top. In a quiet voice, I told her she would have to wait until nap time and offered her a drink out of her sippy cup. Lila is 20.5-months-old.

It was then, as usual, I noticed side way glances from the moms around me. Do you ignore the glances or confront them by explaining yourself? I'm generally torn between the two options. After all, I do easily offend people with my big mouth (read: struggle with tact and/or knowing when to shut up). Breastfeeding is not something that works out for everyone and I have to be very careful with the subject, as it can be a sensitive subject for many.

Years ago, I told myself that I would immediately wean an older infant or toddler who asked to nurse in public, specifically by doing such things as trying to reach down or under a shirt, pull at bra straps, etc. Yet, here I am, doing no such thing. In my mind's eye, I imagined breastfeeding a toddler as something you pushed or guided your child along to do. For me, that is not the case. It just happened. We introduced solids and sippy cups at around seven-months of age. At a year, I introduced soy and cow's milk. Nursing sessions went from six-eight times daily, to three or four (more if she was sick, especially tired, grumpy, etc.). Now, we nurse only at nap and bed time. Sometimes, if our sitter puts Lila to bed, she misses that nursing session - but goes to bed just fine without me.

Yesterday, I explained to the two mothers sitting next to me that I have been either pregnant and/or breastfeeding for four years and two months. I then explained that I breastfed Olivia until she was 18-months-old and that Lila was born nearly three-months later. The ladies exclaimed: "Wow, good for you! You deserve a pat on the back, I could have never done that. It must be so hard and you must give up so much."

Here's a few secrets you may not know about me:

• I am domestically challenged (read: lazy) - I love to cook. However, I hate doing dishes (and cleaning, in general). I cannot imagine having to wash and/or sterilize bottles, clean nipples, etc.
• I require lots of alone/mommy time (read: I'm a bit selfish) - If breastfeeding tied me down as much as many people think it does, I'm not sure I would have done it for more than a few weeks. Once each of my girls' could go three hours in between feedings, I used hourly care or babysitters for things such as: grocery shopping (I HATE doing this with children), lunch dates with friends, dinner and/or movie with my husband, etc. Once Lila turned one, I've been able to spend all day away from her while DH and I toured around town here or when on vacation (i.e. - our Germany vacation). I've only pumped and left breastmilk behind half a dozen times EVER.
• Breastfeeding was very challenging for me, in the beginning, with both children. Lactation consultants were my best friends. Once we figured out the problem and fixed it, nursing went smoothly from then on. I do not, however, have warm, fuzzy memories of the first weeks of nursing either infant.

I used to think nursing a toddler would be really weird and that it would feel gross. It is not and does not. I could write an additional post on how I use it to keep her quiet on planes rides, or stop her from crying after a fall or slap from her sister or to ease toddler antics. Or, how often her sister has had some sort of stomach bug and despite shared sippies, she didn't catch it or caught a three-hour version of her sister's nine-day bug (I'm a germaphobe- so I love this benefit of breastfeeding).

When I think of the benefits she and I are reaping (see here), I feel no rush to wean her; though her second birthday is a goal in the very back of my mind. And, if she weans when I spend a night (or two) away from her during our upcoming trip home next month, that's fine too. I'm not stuck on any set day or month.

Lila is my sensitive child. She loves to hug and snuggle. When she lays in my arms and nurses, while we rock and I sing to her before nap and bedtime, I find myself full of love and joy in the simple act of nursing this precious toddler of mine.

What They are Doing Now - Lila

Lila is now 19-months. She recently gave up nursing in the middle of the night and now sleeps through the night, often for 13-hours straight. Though, last night, for the first time in two weeks, she awoke at 4:10am, screaming for me. Matt and I put her back to bed (she did not nurse) and she fell asleep until 8:30am. I'm hoping that was the "test" a lot of children do after they've been sleeping through the night for a couple of weeks. For the first time since I got pregnant with Olivia (I do not sleep well when pregnant), I've been getting a good night's sleep! Though, I've been staying up late and rising exhausted anyway!

Lila has started talking up a storm. Here's what she's saying:

• Poop
• Pee (English an Portuguese)
• Ouch
• Bye (English and Portuguese)
• Hello (English and Portuguese)
• Hi
• Yeah
• No
• Mine
• Violet
• Taggie
• More
• Night-night
• Thank you (English and Portuguese)
• 7-8-9
• Jump (English and Portuguese)
• Car
• Noodles
• TV
• Cheese
• Snack
• Eye
• Nose
• Boo-boo
• Eat
• Pretty
• Hot
• Bath
• Stinky
• Swimsuit
• Nemo (We do not have the movie. Liv told her about Nemo the fish).
• Shoe
• mmmmuh (giving kisses)
• Paint
• Here
• Help

Lila does not like to be without her sister. If she wakes up before her, she calls for Olivia incessantly. She loves to hug and kiss her sister. She enjoys doing whatever her sister is doing. Including, begging for snacks and playing in the water. We are sure Olivia is Lila's best friend. She's truly sad when Olivia is not around.

Lila is still at that age where she begs for naps. Often, asking to be picked up and resting her head on my shoulder until I bring her upstairs and put her to bed. She is still a hugger and kisser and loves to rub backs and snuggle.

Lila, now 14-months, has been slow to show an interest in walking. Olivia walked at 10.5-months, therefore, Matt's worried about Lila. I, however, am not. She cruises very well, climbs steps, furniture, etc. On top of it, in the past couple of weeks, she's started to expand her vocabulary greatly. I think she's been focusing on other things. Matt begs to differ.

Matt's worries can now cease! Lila has begun to, finally, take her first steps and, of course, I have to share them with everyone!

Olivia (or, Iia, as Lila calls her) and I bribed her with food and an interesting looking "box." Of course, earlier in the day, when I didn't have my camera with me, she took 15 steps in a row. But, here's a tiny show of what's she's been accomplishing.

Lila

Well, it seems I don't mention Lila all that often. She's now 13-months-old and just as sweet as can be. She's not walking yet - but, she's a climber and speed crawler. She took one step last week but has shown no interest in making further progress. I guess that's fine with me. It means she's a little bit easier to keep track of...for a little while.

Sometimes, after a hard day with Olivia, I'll get down on myself. All parents wonder where they are going wrong when their child acts out, throws a tantrum, etc. Especially when those events are frequent. However, recently, I really started to notice that Lila is a cuddler. She loves to be held and shrieks with joy when she sees Matt or I put on the Ergo carrier. Just yesterday, after her nap when Olivia was still sleeping, Lila rested her head on my shoulder and wrapped her small arms around me as far as she could. She rested there for quite some time. Lila is like that frequently. Olivia was never like that. While she was a calm baby, good sleeper, and colic-free, she has never been one who liked to be held and smothered with kisses for too long. Now, she's known to even wipe away kisses!

Lila, alone, is teaching me so much. She's taught me to see that Olivia's defiant, strong-willed, independent personality isn't just a nurture thing. She was, simply, born that way. And, while I'm sure nurture plays a part in how independent and strong-willed a child can be, I'm beginning to see that Matt and I play less of a nurture part of it than I thought.

I'm more and more able to see the differences in personalities. At 13-months, Olivia was walking and talking. I think she had 10-15 words at 13-months. Lila has about four words. Lila is a little more laid back and pensive. If she likes someone, she'll reach out to be picked up and held. Olivia wasn't shy, and went to most anyone, but she wasn't interested in being held if she could be on the ground playing. Olivia appears to be becoming a true leader and first-born. She grabs her friend's hands, guides them around the playroom, tells them what to do, what to eat, where to sit, where to push the stroller, what to play with and doesn't accept "no" for an answer. She's the first one to run to a hurt child to tell him/her, "It's okay. You'll be alright. I will help you."

I remember Olivia being very serious at Lila's age. Lila is all smiles, all the time. Olivia still frowns more than she smiles. She takes life very seriously. Lila, it appears (time will really tell), will be just happy to go with the flow. A "whatever" type personality.

I'm learning so much from these two girls! They are such a joy to have. While I don't look forward to the tantrums, I do look forward to each new day with them. It's so exciting to watch them grow. There have been many times when they just bring tears of joy to my eyes.