We Did It!

This is a milestone that absolutely cannot pass without a blog post. Last Friday, we completed our 180th day of homeschool. Alexander has graduated the second grade and will be a third grader next year! Jack has graduated preschool and will be a kindergartner next year. I taught, parented, loved, snuggled, cajoled, encouraged, scolded, cried, yelled, hugged, kissed, chased, diapered, bathed, taxied, worried, fed, cheered, researched, planned, and lectured, among other things. We all survived.

Every day was not easy. But, I can say with no reservations that this was the right choice, for our family, for this year. We had a successful year.

Choosing to homeschool was not a decision that we took lightly. It's kind of a big deal. It's still somewhat radical. Even having considered homeschooling since Alexander was a toddler, we still put him in public school. For two years. I haven't blogged much about those two years, although there is a lot that could be said. There's really no way to say this and not sound cryptic and not imply something, but I haven't blogged about those years because I believe that my children deserve a certain amount of privacy. Yes, I blog about my kids. Almost exclusively about them. I tell silly stories that I suppose could embarrass them later. But I try to shy away from anything that wouldn't be something one would, for example, include in a baby or scrapbook. So I don't want to put too much more "on paper," but I'd like to just emphasize, for anyone who doesn't fully understand or support our decision, that there was a lot that influenced this decision. Alexander is a very smart boy, but he did not have a good experience in public school. I am not generalizing to other children, nor will I ever. My son, for kindergarten and first grade, at the school he went to, with the teachers, administration, and support that he had, did not have a good experience. There were both strengths and weaknesses on both sides of the table, and the match was just not a good one. Other children, perhaps the majority of children, will have a good experience.

Even with all of that said, I stand behind what I've always said about our decision to homeschool. It's really less a reactionary decision that it may seem. This was something that I've been drawn to, that I've wanted to do for a long time. The fairly blatant failure we had with public school just made the decision to go for it that much clearer. My main reason for homeschooling will always be time. Time with my kids that, if given away, I can never get back. Seven hours away from my children, 180 days a year, is simply too much. Call me selfish if you want, and then come on over so I can show you how much work, time, money, and worry I put into my particular brand of selfish.

My kids are learning. They are not behind. It is not a fight to get them to do their schoolwork. I don't have to ignore the other kids to get schooling done. We're not stuck at home all day laboring. They have friends. They don't hate me for making them do work. They socialize with people of all ages. They are active. They're not weird (you know, any more so than their parents). If and when they're socially awkward it's because that is, sometimes for each of them, part of who they are. They are succeeding. I am proud of what they accomplished this year and I am proud of what I accomplished this year. We did it! And ya know what's more? We're gonna do it again next year. BOOM.

My Baby is One!

A couple of days ago, my littlest monkey turned one.

I'm very ready to not have an infant, to never again have an infant. I don't long for the nights of 10 awakenings. I don't long for the 45 minute nursing sessions with only 15 minutes in between. I don't miss the projectile poop, or the need to constantly wear a baby. I don't miss getting stuck in my chair for hours on end because the only way my baby would sleep was in my arms. I don't miss the screaming that would occur during every car trip. I don't miss having to tell my older kids to go grab another Smuckers Uncrustable and juice box because I can't get up to get them something real to eat. I don't actually enjoy letting my bathrooms get as dirty as they do when I have a newborn. Showering is something I would enjoy doing more often than three times a week. I could go my whole life without having another baby spit up in my hair, poop on my jeans, or pee on my shirt. (To be fair, all of those last three things were still happening as of this week.) But. But. BUT....

Those teeny, tiny baby toes! The beautiful blue-gray eyes! The milk-comas! The warm, safe feeling of a baby's slowed breathing as he sleeps on my chest! The fuzzy, perfect little noggins! The first smiles, the first laughs, the first steps. The adorable, diapered tushies and perfect little belly buttons! The coos, the snuffles, the bare, pink gums. I don't want another baby, but I think sometimes it would be nice to be able to fall into a remembered moment and enjoy it again and again. When I look at old pictures of my kids, I often want to reach into the picture and give that Alexander, that Jack, that Kai, that Noah just one more hug, one more snuggle.

So, yes, I am more than happy that my baby is now, officially, a toddler. I'm so excited for the adventures that all of us will have together. But there's still a slice of bittersweet pie on this birthday. Just a sliver.

Noah is a sweet, shameless flirt. He often tries to get the attention of nearby strangers with little grunts and noises, like he's saying, "Hey! Look at me! I'm cute!" He makes friends wherever we go. Sometimes I feel a little like the third wheel, stuck in between the flirting!

He's walking beautifully, babbles adorably, and gives tender little hugs. He's finally started eating more foods and only nurses about three times per day. He still hasn't quite figured out the sippy cups. He's ingested a few ounces of water a few times, but most of the time, whether it contains water or cow's milk (which I introduced a couple of weeks early), he tends to suck the liquid into his mouth and then let it dribble out. He's sleeping much better, though, and sleeps through the night probably about half the time now. He's entering one of my favorite stages and I am so excited. Happy First Birthday, Noah Everett!

Noah walks!

Noah is not yet a master, but his walking has improved over the last six weeks. He seems to be taking his time practicing! His record is about twelve steps in a row. It is tough to catch video of him doing it, though! Here is the best one I could get today.

Noah is Nine Months Old!

I know... time flies... it is tough to find enough of it to post as regularly as I'd like.

Noah loving his reflection at the Please Touch Museum

Happy 9 month birthday to Noah, as of the 10th of January! He's doing very well. He had a well-visit with the pediatrician (well, nurse practitioner, but that's another story). He measured 30.75 inches long, which is above the 95th percentile. If the measurement was accurate, he is our tallest nine month old by a quarter inch. However, a measurement that accurate is asking a lot when you're dealing with an active baby. Still, he's tall like his brothers. That much we know for sure. He weighs 20 pounds and 13 ounces, which is at the 50th percentile, making him our lightest nine month old by half a pound. He's also down from the 95th percentile just five months ago. I know all my babies just slim down after the first six months or so, but it always seems so drastic. I am sure he is fine; he's just a lithe little thing.

A few days after he turned nine-months old, he took his first single step. He's repeated the feat several times since then and once, today, he even took two steps. He's still pretty unsteady, though, and a while away from walking with any confidence. I'm really looking forward to Spring when we can get back outside and watch them all walking and running around. I hope to get a swingset installed in the backyard, using Noah and Kai's birthdays as my excuse.

Noah has only recently started to eat much in the way of solid food. Up until he was eight months old he struggled with a very strong gag reflex every time food would hit his throat, even the thinnest mixtures. I really didn't know how I'd ever get him to eat, but starting at six months old I would just try for a few days, give up for a few weeks, then try again. Every time the food would get to his throat, he would gag. Finally, right before turning eight months old, the gag reflex started to lessen and he was able to start swallowing some purees, but it took the past five weeks or so to build him up to where he was eating one small jar at breakfast along with some Cheerios, and one small jar in the afternoon along with maybe a Wagon wheel or two. Unfortunately, yesterday he came down with a stomach bug, so we went back to just nursing until he is feeling well again. Hopefully he'll take right back to it as I build him back up slowly to where we were.

He still is not sleeping well and wakes probably six to eight times per night and wants to nurse all night long. Reminds me of a few other someones I know! I did have Jack and Kai both night weaned by this age, but Noah may prove even more stubborn than Alexander was! No matter, someday I WILL sleep again. Someday....

For now, it's great to see my baby grow. It's bittersweet as always, especially since he is my last. But it's exciting, too. The next time I'll do an age update on him, he'll be a year old! WOW!

Watch Out, World!

Noah is on the move! He's had a big month of development. He can now sit up fairly well on his own, only falling over occasionally. He can also crawl with his belly off the floor, although sometimes he seems to forget and reverts to the army crawl. He can also put himself into the sitting position from laying. So these days I can just set him on the floor, he'll crawl to what he wants, and sit himself back up. The better mobility seems to have tempered his fussiness a bit; he is more content to play with toys on the floor without me for a few minutes at a time. He does still spend a lot of time on my back (sometimes my front) in the Ergo carrier or on my lap, but not all his time, so I think this is a nice change for both of us. Last but certainly not the least of his recent achievements, he can pull himself to standing and even "cruise" a little! I think we've got another early walker on our hands!

Oh, Mom, I'm just sitting here drooling. No worries.

Checking out the toys.

Anything good in the top?

Shoot, I don't even need both legs!

Kai Does Colors!

Kai has been getting pretty good at naming colors for a while now, but I am just getting around to posting this.

Jack Starts Preschool!

I am now the proud parent of not one but TWO school-goers! Jack started preschool! He is going to the same preschool that Alexander went to, and it is nice to see some familiar faces there.Jack will be going to school two mornings each week. I think he vaguely remembers dropping off and picking up Alexander, which helps to ease his transition.

On his first day of school, they had a shortened day and the parents stayed for the entire time. I think this is a great way to help the kids ease into their new school. Jack was very excited, paid attention to his teachers very well, and had a great time. He played with Play-Doh for his entire "free-play" time on that first day, but he enjoyed himself, so that was all that mattered to me!

He's since gone to two solo days and done absolutely wonderfully. The first day that he would stay alone, I stayed in the classroom for just a couple of minutes while he settled in, then told him that I would stay for one more minute and then go home for a while. He said, "I not scared you leave." I am very proud of my big, confidant boy who knows that Mommy will always come back. He came out of school quite pleased with himself and has had only good things to say. Whenever anyone asks him how preschool is, he answers, "Awesome!"

I can only hope that his good attitude, good behavior, and enjoyment of preschool continue, and I have no reason to believe that they would not. It is still bittersweet for me, and I still miss my little boy when he is at school, but it makes all the difference in the world to know that he is really enjoying himself and thriving there. He's a star.

Alexander's First Day of First Grade

On August 29th, Alexander returned to school to start his first grade year. He was very excited because this year he is in Mrs. Michael's class! As a kindergartner, Alexander would join Mrs. Michael's first grade class for about an hour and a half each day, so he already knows and loves her. She is an excellent teacher and I am thrilled that he is in her class this year. He has about four friends from last year in his class (there are six first grade classes, so there are a lot of kids to shuffle!). He is excited to work on a self-portrait in art and play instruments in music. We're really hopeful for a successful year with fewer bumps along the way than last year, and we know that Alexander will learn a lot.

Alexander's Last Day of Kindergarten

I just cannot believe that already, the year has passed. Alexander is no longer a kindergartner. In only a few short weeks, he will become a "grader." Throughout this year, whenever someone would ask Alexander what grade he was in, he would say, "I am not in a grade. I am in kindergarten."

Here is Alexander on his last day of school.

Kai Walks a little bit more

Improvement...

Kai walks... a little

Kai Walks!

Okay, so he doesn't exactly walk. But he did take his first step yesterday. Way to go, Kai! :) I did not capture a photo of the big accomplishment, so here are some other cute pictures of him instead.

Xan Can Cook

Alexander has always loved to "help" around the house, and lately he's reached the point where he can *actually* be helpful. He's also about to turn SIX, so I am trying to let him take on more age-appropriate tasks. The other day, I let him make macaroni and cheese almost all by himself. I still turned on the stove and drained the noodles. Still, he was quite proud of his accomplishment and all three boys and I enjoyed the lunch that he had made for us. (Yes, he was making lunch and all three boys were still in their pajamas. It was a snow day!)

I told Alexander that by the time he is ten, I want to be able to tell him, "Alexander, it's your turn to make dinner," and have him be able to just go in the kitchen and do it! He is eager to learn "all about being a grown-up," he says.

Kai's First Haircut

All my boys were getting super shaggy, so it was haircut day in our household! This was Kai's first real haircut! Of course I did Kai's hair with just scissors, which led the other boys to resist the buzzer, so they were all done with just scissors for a change.

Kai before:

Kai during:

Kai after:

Jack before:

Jack after:

Alexander before:

Alexander after: