Emma's Growing Up

Emma ready for her first day of school

She plopped right down at a desk and got to work coloring

Checking out the weather center

Finding her desk

Emma began preschool last Sunday.  She attends while we are in mass.  As you can see, she did just fine.  Mommy and Daddy, on the other hand, cried all the way out to the car.  We were so proud of Emma, especially as she tried to comfort the other children who were upset.  We were amazed at how quickly, and without hesitation, she jumped in and got to work.  And on her first day.  We credit her sitter, Shell, so much for being so well-adjusted.  It was bizarre sitting in mass with only one child, and, one who didn't need much guidance.  After mass, she brought us her papers and told her new friends, "Bye, friends.  Bye-bye."  Her homework (yes, in preschool) is to work on the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, the Sign of the Cross, and Glory Be.  

Emma continues to do well in dance class.  What impresses me is that Daddy remembers dance etiquette thanks the teacher at the end of class.  Last week, Kurt asked Emma if she thanked Miss Rebecca and Emma ran in the studio and said, "Thank you, Miss Rebecca, thank you!"  The most difficult time for me is finding the balance between mom and teacher.    

Emma has also passed another major milestone:  BIG GIRL PANTIES.  When Emma began to regress with the potty training last month, her ped. said we needed to give her month of total control.  Emma chose to wear pull-ups and not go potty for us and we just had to accept that.  Since her month was up we put her in real panties last Friday.  She's only had two accidents since last Friday afternoon.  We are SO proud of her, especially given that we were all over Ohio and in strange places. She went from us suggesting we try the potty on Friday to getting up and going on her own - without telling us - on Monday evening.  She has not mastered the poop-dee but that will come.  Again, I'm finding a balance between offering instruction and letting her figure this out on her own.  I've been operating with the philosophy of asking if she needs to go and accepting whatever her answer is (and the mess if she has accidents).  It seems to be working though.  The treasure chest of prizes probably doesn't hurt, either, though.  

Just so I don't slight Annie, she is doing fabulous also.  She's rolling both ways and trying to crawl.  She's also babbling and laughing.  Her favorite game is peek-a-boo, and she's starting to cover her own face now.  She's doing well with her mouthing and teething but she still has a long way to go.  She's had green beans and scarfed down a container of peas this afternoon.  Some feedings are great and others make me want a Valium.