Friday, January 25, 2013

The End of a Phrase

Not in your mouth.

There were days that I said that phrase countless times.  I would drive myself crazy saying the same words over and over again.

Not in your mouth.

And then I woke up this morning, and for some reason, the words popped into my head.

Not in your mouth.

I realized that I honestly can't remember the last time I've said those words to Claire.  The words still pass from my lips, but they are directed, infrequently, at Bridget.

Not in your mouth.

No big breakthrough here in getting through a challenging behavior, just a quick reminder to myself that Claire is constantly changing and growing, and we will get through the hard times.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Happy Birthday Claire!

Yesterday was Claire's birthday.

Three. 

How did my little 5 lb baby get to be a three year old?!?



This birthday more than the other two have had me looking back, reflecting a bit.  Her NICU stay, OHS, EI, preschool.  So many changes...she made me a mother.  So many changes recently, with EI ending preschool beginning.

Anyway, on to the fun stuff...the party!

We kept things fairly low key yesterday.  Family, friends, burgers and cupcakes.  Low key though was about 20 people, half of them kids!  Our little house was full (and loud!), but it was a great day, and Claire had so much fun playing with her friends and cousins.


An early present because she just *couldn't wait* until after lunch!


Squeaky shoes.  What was I thinking?!?




Mimi and Bridget  :)



Cousins!


Thursday, January 10, 2013

Another First: Preschool!

Monday was supposed to be Claire's first day at preschool, but the bug she's been fighting since Christmas came back in the form of a fever Saturday night, and her first day got pushed back.  She spent Monday and Tuesday home with Mimi, and Wednesday turned into her first day of school!

We met her teachers in a home visit a week prior, and had their pictures up on the fridge.  We've been practicing their names every time we walk into the kitchen and have flipped through her transition photo book countless times.



Wednesday morning my mom kept Bridget so that I could take Claire to school.  After two days with Mimi she wasn't thrilled to leave Mimi behind, but she was excited to see friends.  When she's not at day care (school) or preschool (tree school) she's constantly asking for friends.



When we walked into the school Wednesday morning the director was waiting for us to walk Claire to her classroom.  We got to be the first ones in the classroom that morning.  Claire walked in, but didn't get much past the doorway before she just stopped and took everything in.  We moved out of the doorway and watched a few other kids and parents come in.  Claire then took her teacher's hand and they walked off to get her name tag and wash her hands.  I watched for a few minutes, then waved goodbye and slipped out the door.



Her first day was GREAT!  The only "issue" they had was hand washing....she wouldn't finish and let the other kids have a turn.  She had quite a line of kids behind her waiting for their turn, so now they are singing the ABCs, and when the song is over Claire has to be done.



She was a little tired when she got home, and fell asleep a bit earlier for nap than usual yesterday, but she couldn't wait to go back to school this morning.  She had another great drop off today.  She found her name tag without any help this morning, and was happily waiting to wash her hands when I left!