Apparently I haven't been very good at keeping up with this blog. I have good intentions, but it doesn't happen. Right now I find myself with 50 minutes of spare time, which has become very rare.
Okay September. School was a huge challenge for Olivia. She'd cry every morning when I dropped her off no matter what I said to her. It would tear me to pieces seeing her that way, but I kept a strong face and tried to encourage her. It eventually got to point where I had to tell her that I wasn't going to listen to the crying anymore. That seemed to help. What made the biggest impact was asking her what her last name is. Odd, yes, but this worked. She told me what our last name is and I told her because of this last name we can do hard things. She thought about it and proudly walked into her classroom, tear free, and told her teacher that she could do hard things. We talked about this later in the day and I explained to her that some things might seem hard right now, but soon they will be easy. We have been tear-free almost every day since!
We found out the gender of the baby in early September too. We're having a BOY! I'm very excited. After having my two girls and planning on this being my last child; I really wanted a boy. This will be the first grandson on both sides. My mom currently has 9 granddaughters!
Olivia started swim lessons again after having a break for 2 months. She is s-l-o-w-l-y making progress. Coming from a girl who was afraid of getting her face wet, the progress she has done has been remarkable.
Lucia decided to potty train herself. I'm not complaining. Lucia is stubborn and pretty much does things on her own timetable. One day she decided that she was going to wear panties and go potty. I wasn't able to argue with her. I made her a potty chart that she worked diligently to complete. The reward was swim lessons with Olivia. We're now starting a new chart to record the nights that she wakes up dry. She really wants to wear panties to bed like Olivia but this will come with time.
Olivia was recognized at her horse lessons this past week. She was their 2000th session this year and to celebrate there was cake, balloons and a bag full of goodies for her. This week is their last session for the year. I complain to myself every week about the hour drive (each way) but once we're there it's total bliss. I look forward to next May when sessions begin again.
Lucia started her first swim lessons this week. She is doing really well. She won't jump into the pool unless helped and won't put her head under the water, but this will come with time. I was determined to start her much earlier than Olivia to hopefully get rid of the fear early.
I have been carpooling with a lady in my apartment complex to and from school. I take the kids to school and she picks up. I am not a morning person but I LOVE this time in the morning with Olivia. It's 20 minutes that we get to talk. I'm using the time in the car to work on various things like memorization, reading, math facts, or just to talk. On Tuesday I asked her what she wanted to talk about and she wanted to talk about the circulatory system. She's always been fascinated with the human body. You would think that she'd want to become a doctor in the future but her reply is a cowgirl mommy.
September was also the Brigham City Temple open house which was a very special treat for our family!
I guess we're caught up now. Hopefully I can stay on top of this a little better....
Okay September. School was a huge challenge for Olivia. She'd cry every morning when I dropped her off no matter what I said to her. It would tear me to pieces seeing her that way, but I kept a strong face and tried to encourage her. It eventually got to point where I had to tell her that I wasn't going to listen to the crying anymore. That seemed to help. What made the biggest impact was asking her what her last name is. Odd, yes, but this worked. She told me what our last name is and I told her because of this last name we can do hard things. She thought about it and proudly walked into her classroom, tear free, and told her teacher that she could do hard things. We talked about this later in the day and I explained to her that some things might seem hard right now, but soon they will be easy. We have been tear-free almost every day since!
We found out the gender of the baby in early September too. We're having a BOY! I'm very excited. After having my two girls and planning on this being my last child; I really wanted a boy. This will be the first grandson on both sides. My mom currently has 9 granddaughters!
Olivia started swim lessons again after having a break for 2 months. She is s-l-o-w-l-y making progress. Coming from a girl who was afraid of getting her face wet, the progress she has done has been remarkable.
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| October 9-- Third week of lessons Olivia finally puts her face in the water. She said it was amazing! |
Lucia decided to potty train herself. I'm not complaining. Lucia is stubborn and pretty much does things on her own timetable. One day she decided that she was going to wear panties and go potty. I wasn't able to argue with her. I made her a potty chart that she worked diligently to complete. The reward was swim lessons with Olivia. We're now starting a new chart to record the nights that she wakes up dry. She really wants to wear panties to bed like Olivia but this will come with time.
Olivia was recognized at her horse lessons this past week. She was their 2000th session this year and to celebrate there was cake, balloons and a bag full of goodies for her. This week is their last session for the year. I complain to myself every week about the hour drive (each way) but once we're there it's total bliss. I look forward to next May when sessions begin again.
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| Olivia at Resolution Horse -- Their 2000th session rider this year. |
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| Lucia and Olivia with two of the volunteers. Patty in the blue and Terry in the brown. They have been wonderful to work with! |
Lucia started her first swim lessons this week. She is doing really well. She won't jump into the pool unless helped and won't put her head under the water, but this will come with time. I was determined to start her much earlier than Olivia to hopefully get rid of the fear early.
 |
| Lucia-- first swim lessons with her teacher Amie |
I have been carpooling with a lady in my apartment complex to and from school. I take the kids to school and she picks up. I am not a morning person but I LOVE this time in the morning with Olivia. It's 20 minutes that we get to talk. I'm using the time in the car to work on various things like memorization, reading, math facts, or just to talk. On Tuesday I asked her what she wanted to talk about and she wanted to talk about the circulatory system. She's always been fascinated with the human body. You would think that she'd want to become a doctor in the future but her reply is a cowgirl mommy.
September was also the Brigham City Temple open house which was a very special treat for our family!
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| Olivia, Nicol and Lucia at the Brigham city open house. |
I guess we're caught up now. Hopefully I can stay on top of this a little better....
