Zoe's Preschool Screening

On Friday Zoe went to our school for the preschool screening.  I was a bit nervous because what do they ask a 3 year old at a preschool screening?  And, does Zoe know enough for her to get in?  (Hahaha...I know Zoe is really smart, but you still question it.)  I had no idea that schools screen kiddos so young.  I had two days to prep Zoe because it was the first time we have EVER dropped her with a stranger to her and she is very slow to warm with most people.  She was so excited!  She wanted Shaun to pack her a lunch in the morning (the screening was only 45 minutes long, so no lunchtime, but whatever floated her boat, we did :) ), she HAD to bring her Dora backpack, water bottle, juice box, and she wanted to bring toys, but I said no.  Shaun met us with the group of kids and parents because it was at his lunchtime, so the timing was perfect.  She was a big girl and walked all the way to the classroom, but the closer we got, the more clammed up she became.  Oh no! was my only thought.  When we got into the classroom, she wanted Shaun to pick her up and she wouldn't let go of him.  She started to cry and one of the teacher's had to hold onto her while I dragged Daddy out of the room.  I thought, "Oh great!  We have the ONLY crying child!"  The other kids were familiar with the classroom because their siblings have attended there, so they were all comfortable.  Jeez!  We sat in the lounge for the 45 minutes and about 15 minutes in, one of our colleagues/friends went to check on Zoe.  She didn't see her in the room, so it panicked both of us.  Her and Shaun went to check the playground because she said that she thought she saw her on the playground.  Shaun and Deni hid in the bushes to spy...too funny!!!  And they were caught by our preschool administrator.  Even funnier!!!  She reassured us that she was doing fine and stopped crying.  Phew!!!  When I went back to pick her up, she was happy and had an art project for me!  The teacher said she cried, but the typical separation cry and did very well.  Yeah!  I am sure she was still very shy, but the teachers have seen it all, I'm sure.  She told me all about her day...Mrs. Barbara read a story about the ocean, she made an art project and they let her use a glue stick, they sang "Slippery Fish" (one of our favorites at home :) ), she checked out the dramatic play area, and she even told me about some of the kids.  I know she will do just fine in school. 
The screening is to see if the kiddos will suit the teachers classrooms, so a couple of the teachers need to see how they interact and click.  After the screenings, they can basically put "dibs" on each kid for their class.  This preschool program is a special ed preschool, but they take "typicals" (typically developing kiddos) to balance the classrooms and have some role models.  I am hoping that this will give Zoe the opportunity to develop acceptance and tolerance of others who are different, plus...how can you go wrong with teachers who are credentialed in early childhood education?  The program is wonderful, so I am so excited for her to go.  She will also go to the park and rec preschool two days a week near our house, so she gets a balance.  I am really looking forward to Zoe's growth this upcoming year!

Week 5

We had quite a busy week and it went by sooooo fast!!!  Kylee is starting to recognize more and more and she tracks toys with her eyes.  Sleeping and eating are going well.  There are some nights that I am really lucky and get a 4 hour stretch, but mostly 3.  I am definitely not complaining!  We have figured out most of the gassy issues, so hopefully between Kylee's digestive system maturing and my small diet changes, we won't have too many more crazy 2 to 3 hour long gas battles.  The umbilical cord is still on!!!  To me it is totally gross!  Zoe's fell of within days, so that is what I thought would happen with Kylee's.  I am afraid they will probably have to freeze it off at her next appt.  We'll see!  The biggest problem I am struggling with is no baths!!!  I sponge her, but it is not the same.  I would love to get Kylee in her routine of bath, then bedtime, like Zoe has, so I am trying to wait patiently.  She is beginning to smirk and smile a little!  I haven't captured it yet, but I will soon!

Kylee's Newborn Pics and Zoe's Three Year Old Pics

 Our littel angel...

 My FAVORITE!!!

 This picture is priceless!!!

Capturing Zoe and her personality :)

I was soooooo pleased with JC Penney this time.  We have had our fair share of horrible photo sessions, but this one made up for all the others!  Kylee was only 9 days old and she did pretty well...she even opened her eyes for some pictures.  The photographer commented that she has rarely shot a baby that little with their eyes open.  She just looks like a little doll.  I had no expectations, so Zoe was ready to take pics, but I gave her the option when we got there.  She definitely did not pass up the opportunity to take pics with her sister.  Then her sister needed to eat, so the photographer and Grandma just hung out with Zoe in the studio and were able to get some more candid photos for her.  It is hard to get her to pose by herself, but she sure does turn on the charm when we tell her she can take a pic with her sister.  The key is to get the first appt. of the day and don't go during a busy time of year.  

Kylee is One Month Old!!!

 Kylee LOVES to follow her sister with her eyes!

 One month and growing like a weed!

 We are just starting to see glimpses of expession on Kylee's little face.

Loves her big sister's attention :)

Kylee turned a month old on Tuesday.  We cannot believe that a whole month has gone by.  She has been eating, sleeping, and pooping (TMI!!) well.  There has been a little problem with GAS, but it is not as bad as a couple weeks ago.  Right when Shaun had to go back to school, she started having bouts of GAS right at bedtime and it would last sometimes until midnight.  No fun!!!  Poor thing!  We are starting to see some smiling!  It is so cute!  I forget how fun it is when babies start to smile.  She loves her big sister and watches her like a hawk where ever she goes.  I think Zoe will have a little follower for many years to come.  Lately, I have been putting her down a little more because I think she was getting way to used to being held all of the time.  We are still working on the transition to the crib.  I think it will be much earlier than Zoe because she refuses to sleep in the bassinet.  I have been putting her in some 0-3 month clothes, but they are still very baggy.  Can't wait to see how grows and changes!  BUT not too fast!!!

Zoe as a Three-Year-Old

Zoe's life has dramatically changed now that she is a three year old.  She is really adjusting well to helping out with her baby sister, but we have seen her get a little more sensitive lately.  We are working through it and every time she has a meltdown, we try to explain how each situation could have been better and believe it or not, she has been very responsive.  If she finds herself in the same situation that has previously made her upset, she tries to figure it out before getting so upset.  She is so independent at home, so Shaun and I expect a lot from her, so we take a step back to sometimes to realize she just turned three. 
Besides the occasional meltdown, she is such a wonderful, creative, goofy little girl.  She is such a sponge and learns everything so quickly.  Lately, she has become very inquisitive about how things work or where they come from.  Her baby "Kayla" is always by her side and when Kylee needs a diaper change, so does Kayla.  When Kayla is "sleeping", I have to use a quieter voice, so I don't wake her baby. 
Memorizing the books we read or her favorite episodes of Umizoomi or Bubble Guppies blows Shaun and I away!  Grandma was over one day and Zoe went to town on a book we have had for a week and just amazed Grandma.  Today, she actually made up a story as she looked at the pictures in a book.  We are practicing writing her name and she is doing so well!  She almost has it down...an "e" is very hard!!!  My mom bought a couple books that pictures had to be cut and pasted and she figures it out and does very well with little help.  I still do the cutting because I am not too sure she is ready to cut on lines. 
In the morning, she can dress herself completely and even comb out her hair.  Her cups and bowls are low enough for her to access herself, so if she wants cereal, she gets the bowl and spoon ready and I do the rest.  If she needs water, she can get a cup and with supervision, we let her get water from the fridge on her own.  When I shower, I make sure Kylee is down and she gets to watch one of her shows.  She knows the rule...don't open the door for anyone.  It still makes me nervous, so I keep the monitor on her, so I can hear.  I told Shaun we need to get a top lock for my own peace of mind. 
She loves to eat Cheerios, tri tip, noodles, green beans, corn, and anything Mommy or Daddy is currently eating.  She loves to race to eat her vitamins.  Fruits and snacks need to be frequently rotated because she goes through stages quickly.  Lately, she has been very good about ordering for herself at restaurants, which is HUGE!  She is very slow to warm with others, so it is very hard for her to say anything to strangers or people she doesn't  know very well, but once she gets to know you...watch out!
Outside play is becoming more fun for all of us as Zoe is starting to get the hang of riding her trike, scooter, playing on her swings, going down her slide all by herself, trying to play baseball (thanks to our friends' boys who are already all stars at the age of 3), playing kickball, and learning to shoot hoops.  We have gone to the park more often lately, so she is starting to play more at the park and climb and slide.
This summer she is going to start school for sure this time ;).  She will go to a shorter version of her preschool, then start in the fall going Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Also, she is going on Friday to a preschool screening at our school for Mondays and Wednesdays.  This is a special ed program with kiddos that have anything from a speech impediment to Autism or Down Syndrome.  Zoe will be what is called a "typical" in the class.  Basically, the idea is she is a model to the other students.  There are usually 3-4 typicals in each class.  I think that this is the best opportunity for Zoe to learn acceptance and tolerance of others who may not be just like her.  We are really looking forward to it, but the screening must be done without parents in the room.  That is a nail biter for me because she has never really had to do anything like this and we have never had to leave her with a stranger before.  Yikes!!!  Either it will go really well or not so much.  We'll see!!!  We started prepping her tonight for that and she seems very gung-ho.  We definitely cannot believe we have a three year old already, but are so excited to see what the year will bring!

Zoe's Butterfly Third Birthday Party

 Some of the butterfly decorations...

 Butterfly Cake (I did it all myself!  I sure did miss my cake partner-in-crime, Kim, though!!!)

 Zoe picked her jumper...there are no butterfly ones :)

 Grandma and YiaYia helping out with last minute stuff...thanks!!!

 Papa and Kylee

 Grandpa and Kylee (This is history for Grandpa!!!  He is holding his last grandchild before she can sit up on her own!)

 Cake Time

We successfully pulled off another great birthday party!  I am trying to figure out how two birthdays within days will work out in the future, separate parties? one big bash?...we will have to see!  Anyways, the party, went well and for having a three week old, I think I did a pretty darn good job.  There were some things I just had to look past.  I got over it quick though :).  I let Zoe pick her jumper because I could not find a butterfly themed jumper, so Disney Princess it was!  We really had a good time catching up with friends and just hanging out.  The kids had a good time and seemed to enjoy the company of one another.  Zoe has really liked hanging out with Alyssa too.  Pam, my neighbor that I grew up across the street from, fosters little ones and Alyssa happens to be her third foster child, and Zoe and her play so well together.  They are really cute when they play and just hang out.  Unfortunately, Alyssa is going back to her birth mom soon, so Zoe may not get to play with her anymore :(. Our friends really enjoy our backyard, so this summer we will have to have big playdates in our backyard, so the kiddos can play and adults can enjoy each others' company. 

Week 3 and 4

Burping Kylee...What a BIG sis!!!

Sponge bath because the umbilical cord has not come off yet!!!

Daddy and his girls :)

Great Grandma

 Zoe's Third 3rd Birthday Celebration!

 Hugging Great Grandma

 Wow!  Look at my new watch!!!

Professional now!!!

 These two weeks have flown by!  I can't believe that we have survived 4 weeks.  In the past two weeks we have had 2 birthday parties for Zoe and have spent a lot of time working out a schedule that will work for the fam.  Shaun and I have realized that if the baby needs us during the nighttime, Shaun is good until midnight, then once I have gotten the first stretch of sleep, I am good the early morning hours.  We are very lucky though!!!  Kylee is a pretty good sleeper as long as GAS doesn't intrude. 
  Days are pretty good.  Zoe and I usually plan out our mornings first thing, then it usually runs smoothly.  Lunchtime is with Grandma and she usually stays until Zoe is down for her nap.  We are also practicing leaving it all up to Mommy.  The only thing that alters the schedule is sometimes Zoe has to go down whenever I get Kylee to sleep, but it still goes pretty smoothly. 
  In the last few days we have gone to the park and a few outings to different places.  We have mastered the trip to the park and if the baby gets fussy, I bring the sling and she is just fine.  Zoe met up with my friend, Amanda's little guy, Jake, at the park last week and Shaun met us there after work.  They had a great time and Shaun played with the kiddos, so Amanda and I could sit and chat.
  The weekends are good because Shaun can help with the girls and the house gets picked up from the chaotic week.  There are a few mornings during the week where I can do a little, but not too much.  I try to devote anytime that I am not holding or feeding Kylee to doing something with Zoe.  We play dolls a lot and sometimes we do crafts or "homework".  She is starting to get into puzzles because a lot of our friends got her new puzzles that she loves.  I can help her with those no matter if I am holding Kylee or not, so I like that.  So far, so good!!!  We are so lucky!!!