Baby it's getting cold outside

I mean, not really. Not like it will be. But cool enough to warrant outerwear.

TEN TEN TEN MONTHS OF YOU!!!

Daphne,

It is Saturday night, nearing midnight, you are tucked in your crib, everyone is tucked in tight, snuggling down as Autumn is officially here, regardless of whether or not the calendar says so (I have never been able to keep track of when seasons "officially" start... perhaps it is "officially" fall.. I just don't know). Everyone, that is, except for me. I am at work. Waiting for printers to warm up so I can print things in color, so my tired eyes can review them better. And here I am, about to miss another month milestone with a few minutes to kill, so TA-DA! An on time monthly post. You are welcome.

Your brother has started school and sports, all of which deserving their own post to explain how that has affected HIM, but this is about YOU, so for now, I will just sum it up to say that you like this. You really like this. As I got to witness yesterday when I worked from home and got to see you spend 2 uninterrupted hours playing with your own toys without being told "No, Daphne" or "Move, Daphne" or "Here, Daphne, let's trade [for this far less cool thing]" and so on and so forth - the cacaphony that usually fills our living room.

Oh, and sometimes you get to play with HIS new toys:

You are a delight. You are a girly girl in all ways pink:

And the least dainty little thing I have ever met. You, as I have said many times before, are a FORCE. Not to mention the force with which you can pull/push/tug/whack... You continue your fearless domination of everything in your vicinity, and with your ever increasing mobility - both vertical and horizontal, we are all at your mercy, including, or rather, especially, the cats. And yet, you remain unscathed. It reminds me of how I had a cat growing up named Graygirl. She was mean to everyone, but loved me, despite me tormenting her (with love). You, too, are a cat whisperer Doolittle, for, otherwise, you would and should be covered in scratches.

Your dietary options continue to expand, and you LOVE the new things you get to try - cheese, noodles, strawberries, watermelon, french fries (errr... that was not so much on your approved eating list, but more a result of your freakish speed / strength).

I have never enjoyed anything as much as I enjoy you and your brother. I used to do his posts every month on the exact date of his monthly birth anniversary (or I think, or pretty close... oh, who knows, but I know I was usually better than I have been about keeping up with yours.)

The thing is, time goes too fast. I see it in the way your hair is almost long enough to put in a clip, and in the way you say "Mama" and "Dada" (possibly your first words already spoken - but it seems too soon, so we don't completely acknowledge it). I can hardly keep up.

You continue to rule my heart and my world.

All with that one little dimple.

We love you baby girl. Happy ten months.

Big Girl Moments

Someone has (1) bathed in the big tub and (2) had her first spaghetti.

Nocturnal

Apparently I am not the only one that has trouble falling asleep.

Monday, Funday?

Day two of pre school went about as horribly as day one, only this time Steve stayed with Coop the whole class and there was minimal screaming until I can to drop Daphne off (as I could only work from home until near the end of preschool, not until the TOTAL end) and then there was AMPLE screaming.

I am sure we are our teacher's favorite.

Today was day 3. We talked about it (though not until this morning - after sharing a bed with a Sir Cooperton who woke up with a nightmare Saturday night, I insisted on delaying any pre-school talk until a full night's sleep was achieved for all of us) and we prepped him, but today the training wheels were coming off.

Even if:
- He asked Steve "Why are you being mean to me?" when Steve said he had to go.
- He said "I don't like preschool" to me when I brought it up
- He used those BIG puppy dog eyes to let me know that the mere thought of school made him near weepy
- and so on and so forth of pitifulness

So, Steve got there early (with a very snotty nosed and tired Daphne in tow) so he could discuss drop off technique to the teacher before the flood of students, and Coop started doing a puzzle, and Steve left.

Wait a beat in the hallway. "DADDDDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY"

The tears / screaming lasted only a few minutes, according to Steve who sat sick to his stomach in the hallway out of view (I know how he felt, because I felt that way last week in the parking lot, and this morning, 13 miles away in a high rise at work).

And that's that.

There will be much praise, a happy meal, a cupcake and more praise to try to pump up this whole going to school thing. Updates to come.

*********************************************

And in other, less-angsty news.... SOMEONE (the littlest someone in our house) can now stand up!!!! This has been in her repertoire for about a week or so now, and she is so cute and chubby in her standing glory! Seriously, looking at her on her short little squat legs (which are actually quite long and tall for a baby her age) is the most adorable thing ever.

Especially when she is wearing pink sweat pants.

First Day of (Pre)School

Today was Coop's first day of preschool. See the excitement:

So of course today would HAVE to be the day that a deal I have been on for several months is closing, and as the t]deal deam consisted of myself and a partner... well, I couldn't just no show until post first day drop off... Thus, a pre 6am wake up call, followed up several hours of work work work, followed by a mercifully short closing call, followed by grabbing my blackberry to monitor wires while I was away from my desk, and pulling out of my firm's garage at 8:45, while others are arriving (having already paid over $20 for parking downtown) to rush to get back to the preschool building by 9:15 so I could see my little guy and walk him in.

And I did it:

There are no words to express how AMAZING this feat was.

Or how awful it was when I realized that my rockstar day was totally not.

Despite usually being super carefree and easy, Coop was a little nervous about being left in the class. Maybe it was first kid / first time drop off jitters, maybe it was the 4+ other kids wigging out because their parents had opted for the first day drive by drop off technique, or maybe he is, in fact, human, and not capable of just doing everything easily... who knows, but he didn't want us to leave, so I promised to stay for "a few more minutes."

So of course that is when I get an email that requires urgent attention, so I pull out my phone and head to the hallway to frantically call my admin (who is amazing) to ask for her to help access docs that I cannot get from my blackberry (and basically save my bacon - which she does), meanwhile Coop catches sight of me leaving and Loses. His. Shit. He threw his body towards the door. His teacher tried to stop him. And failed. And he clawed at the door crying, screaming, begging "Mommy don't leave me!" I died / cried inside while trying to open the door to meet him, while trying to get across to my admin what needs to be done yesterday.

A fail on all fronts. Lovely.

I am so used to the feeling of failing, but what I am not used to is the feeling of thinking for once I managed it. I did both. I did my job and I was THERE. I was THERE for it all. Only to realize I wasn't at work when I needed to be and my being there ended up making Coop fall to pieces.

That is the feeling that kicks you right in the gut.

Just like paying another $40 for parking when I had to rush back downtown. Only, really, the feeling is worse by about a billion.

We have some work to do to change Coop's association with school and making him feel comfortable and confident there. We will get there, because we have to. It is going to suck. Suck like the holding your kid down for vaccinations kind of suck.

But just to be clear, buddy. We are proud of you. We are SO proud of you for trying. And even though this will probably live in my head for longer than yours, I hope you know that today YOU didn't fail. You rocked.

Generally Cuteness, an Anniversary Edition

Us, Again.

It's me again. Me, with my big beautiful eyes, and mommy, with her eyes trying to look like mine, but not quite pulling it off...

Yes... Little old us.

Aren't I ADORABLE?!?!?!

Now get out of my shot, mommy...

There is only one room for ONE!