That, and ONLY that, is the reason I haven't posted since March.
In my defense, during the last two (eek, almost three) months, the O'Brien clan was combating illness after illness, I was studying for an exam (I passed my Red Seal certification - yay me!), Elliott started daycare (more on this later) and I returned to work (the opposite of yay me).
So, let's go back a little bit - was it February, was it March? Who can remember, really? My little baby Elliott began attending daycare with his brother. I thought it was going to be horrible. I thought he would be the worst to transition. On his very first day I met Ashley for coffee. I fully expected a pick up call from the daycare before I could finish my cup. We sat and chatted for a *looong time and still nothing. I went to get some groceries, anxiously checking to see if my cellphone had run out of battery. It wasn't until he woke up from his afternoon nap that he was cranky enough for them to ask me to pick him up. By day three, he was staying the entire day. Elliott absolutely blew me away with how quickly he managed to be comfortable at daycare... which once again proved to me that it's the parents who have a harder time adjusting to the changes that happen with their children.
I'm pretty sure Elliott's sprouted a few more teeth since the last post. I mean, he only has six - but it seems to be enough for him to eat almost everything. And, believe me, this kid eats almost EVERYTHING. He literally eats more than me; when we eat pizza, I eat two slices and he eats three. Seriously. And, he's still a bean pole.
Something that's been helping him burn through those calories is his new found skill - walking!!!! Elliott is finally walking. Not always, but he's definitely doing it. Last weekend, Elliott and I were sitting in the kitchen playing and all of a sudden he stood up and walked over to me. Just like that. When he was ready. It's a good reminder to me that I shouldn't try to push him when he's not ready. I tried many times to help him walk when he clearly wasn't interested. I should have just trusted that he would walk when he was comfortable. And he did.
Avery has also had his fair share of changes going on. He is officially potty trained, for at least a couple of months now. It's great. He loves being a big boy - especially when he pees in the urinal like daddy. Yep. I can only imagine how funny that must look. It hasn't been too difficult of a process. We still use pull-ups at night and I feel as though that will be the real challenge. Especially since he drinks a lot of fluids in the evening.
We are so excited that a spot opened up in the daycare at the school Avery will attend one day. He will be starting there on July 1st - so another dreaded transition is in the midst. We went to the open house a couple of weeks ago. Avery LOVED it and cried when we had to leave. The next morning, Avery asked if he was going to his new school. When we told him no, he asked why not. So, that was a positive sign. Today we attended a Fun Fair at the school and Avery wanted to go into his classroom. Another positive sign. I am just not sure he realizes that his friends and teachers will not be going with him. Hopefully the transition will, once again, be easier than I expect. Even if it's not, I just have to remind myself that all of these stages pass quickly.
Avery's third birthday is rapidly approaching - two weeks today to be exact. We are so excited that Granny KK and Poppy Ray will be here to celebrate with us. That makes two for two this year (they were here to celebrate E's 1st with us!) - which is sooo awesome and lucky for us. Avery has been talking about his Spiderman cake since Elliott's birthday, so the pressure is on for me to produce something worthy. However, Avery's tastes are questionable at best, so I am not too concerned.
I am sure there are a million other stories and developments I am missing in this post. It's been a busy few months and we are still trying to fully settle into our new routines. I am proud to say that we have managed well so far and I can only hope that it will get easier with more practice. So until the next time...
*Please note that this was not a remark on our conversation being boring, as Ashley and I seem to be able to talk for an eternity, with never really feeling as though time has passed. It was rather meant to illustrate that we stayed in Starbucks for so long, even teenagers would've complained we were loitering.
