Our First "First Day"

I love "First Day of School" photos.  Perhaps because I'm a teacher and the first day of school is super exciting to me.  This year, we experienced our first "first day".  Brantley started 3-year old preschool yesterday and to say he was excited was an understatement.  We've been talking about this day for weeks months and for the past three years, part of his daily daycare routine was to drop off the "big kids" at preschool.  Finally, it was Brantley's turn to be one of the "big kids".  He had absolutely no fears about going to preschool and he did amazingly well.  Of course, it helps that he's attending with two of his best daycare buddies - Jace and Drew.  That definitely makes a mama feel better.  And as if he wasn't already excited about preschool, he got a new backpack and water bottle, which were pretty much icing on his cake.


 


I really didn't think I'd get emotional about the experience.  After all, he's attending only two days per week for three hours per day.  But after scrolling through photos of last week's "Hello Day", I broke down.  There's something very bittersweet about sending your first child (probably any child, really!) to school.  He's growing up, there's no doubt about it, and unfortunately, big milestones are accompanied by lots of emotions for this mama.

I debated about what do do for "First Day" photos for quite some time.  I mean, it' a big decision trying to decide how to handle the next 15(ish) years of first days!  Initially, I planned to use some free "First Day" printables I found on Pinterest.  And then, I found this sign on Etsy and I love it!  I truly can't wait to compare each year in about 15 years. :)

As for what he wants to be when he grows up....yeah, a snowman.  Like a real, true snowman.  But to his defense, he's getting this question confused with what he wants to be for Halloween (Olaf). Whatever.  It was funny so I went with it. ;)

We are lucky enough to have a daycare provider willing to transport the kiddos to and from preschool.  It's amazing, really, and we couldn't ask for much more.  We are also lucky in that she takes pictures and records the milestones much like I would do.  She sent us a few pictures of his first day...

...and she sent this video she took soon after picking him up. 


So in Brantley's own words, "I had a good day at preschool."  I think it's safe to say he's excited for day two tomorrow!

Brantley's First Haircut

It was 18 1/2 months in the growing, but finally came time for Brantley's first haircut.  Of course, since it was his first official haircut, I insisted we take him to the cutesy kiddo salon, Shear Madness, complete with race car chairs and t.v.s at every station.  He was skeptical, but did surprisingly well and sat extremely still for all of the ten minutes that it took.  Of course, it helped that his favorite show (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) was on t.v. at the time...good planning on Mama's part, even though it very unintentional!

As if my baby didn't already scream "Big Kid", something about his new haircut confirms this title.  Here's a before and after, so you can decide for yourself!

Officially a "Big Boy"

 

Oh Brantley.  Or should I say Big Boy?

It seems like just yesterday that I wrote about your first night in the crib.  You were 6 1/2 weeks old then. 

Now, just a few days shy of 1 1/2 years, we moved you into your "big boy" bed.  Officially, a toddler bed, but also known as a crib with a half rail across the front.  Which means you can independently crawl in and out of your bed, as you please.  You no longer need us for this.  Just another thing to add to the list...the I'm-becoming-so-independent list.  Sigh...

I'm not sure either of us (your Daddy nor I) had planned to move you so soon...after all, we still have 3+ months until your baby brother arrives and weeks more until he moves into the crib...but the toddler bed was assembled and ready to go.  And we knew we'd have to transition you eventually.  So we thought "Why not?!" 

Night number one went well.  I sat on the floor of your "big boy" room and rubbed your back until you were asleep, and then to my surprise, you slept through the night without falling out once! 

Nap number one, on the other hard, was a bit rougher.  For both Mama and Big Boy.  You were confused and seemingly scared of being left alone in this strange, new room.  It probably didn't help that some strange voice (your daddy) was talking to us through the video monitor.  You didn't want me to leave you and squeezed me tight whenever I tried.  Of course, this rattled my emotions (pregnancy hormones, perhaps?) and I was right there with you, crying on the floor of your "big boy" room.  I just couldn't help but think back to your days as a newborn and then about how far we've come and how you are growing up so fast and how much your tight hugs meant to me.  I love, love, love everything about this "big boy" stage--it's definitely my fave--but that doesn't mean I don't get emotional about you growing up. 

You finally fell asleep, but it was short lived.  Your nap was less than an hour (which is really short, especially considering how tired you were).  I'm not sure if you had a bad dream, or what, but we rescued you from your new bed and you slept on Dada's chest for another hour or so.  All the while, Mama was still trying to catch her composure from the wild emotions the hour before.

Night number two went much better.  That is, until you fell out about 30 minutes in.  Oh, I wish I had a picture.  You didn't fall out completely...your body was still laying on the mattress, but your head was hanging over the side and touching the floor.  Kind of like you were getting ready to somersault out of the bed.  And you slept through it all.  To my surprise (again), when you awoke in the morning, you stayed put, in your bed, until I came to greet you.

Currently, you're taking nap number two.  Putting you down for your nap went much better than yesterday.  You must be getting used to this "big boy" thing.  I watched you (on the video monitor) crawl out and back in and out and back in multiple times.  I had to intrude, put you back in your bed, and ask you nicely to stay there twice.  Finally, after about 45 minutes of playing, tossing and turning, and looking around at your new room, you fell asleep and that's where you are now.

Mama is so proud of you, Brantley, for making the transition so well.  I will say, I didn't expect much less seeing that you've made everything pretty simple on us.

And as for your "big boy" room, it's not done, but done enough for now.  Definitely functional.  The walls are painted and decor is coming along nicely.  Your closet and drawers are even full of your clothes.  The nursery is near empty, except for baby stuff.  Which again, makes Mama tear up a bit.  But...I will say, your "big boy" room is pretty sweet.  Don't tell your baby brother, but I think I might like it even more than the nursery!  Pictures to come once it's all said and done!

Love you more than ever, Big Boy!

Love,

Your Mama

A Weekend Trip to WI & Brantley's 1st Plane Ride

I'm finally catching up on all the blog posts that have been saved--either in my memory or as a draft!  Seems my energy/ambition is returning!  Good thing, because there are some parts of our lives that just shouldn't go un-documented!  Here's one... 

Early in September, we traveled north to Wisconsin for the wedding of one of my high school besties.  Said bestie lives outside of Madison in a quaint little town called Sauk City.  This was also the location of the wedding.  (Rumor has it, Sauk City was home to the very first Culver's restaurant.  It has since been remodeled, but still exists.)

Our plan was to split the 8-hour drive to Sauk City between Friday night and Saturday...and then make the long trek home on Sunday.  Then, the hubs realized he needed to be in Chicago mid-day on Sunday for a work conference.  That threw a wrench in our plans.  There was no way I wanted to make the 8-hour trip home on Sunday, with a toddler, sans hubby, and then go to work on Monday morning.  (While, of course, being a single mom for the next three days.  Call me a baby, I don't care.)  So...we decided to drive a rental car to Wisconsin so that we could each take a quick, direct flight back to KC.  On Sunday morning, we drove 3 hours from Sauk City to Chicago.  Brantley and I said our good-byes as we were dropped off at Midway; the hubs returned the rental car and headed for his work conference until Wednesday.

It worked out pretty well.  Minus the fact that Craig left his favorite Royals cap in the rental car.  The same cap that took 2+ years to find.  (He's picky about fit and has a large head, apparently.)  Oh, and we went through the wrong lane of a toll booth (the I-pass lane) and, consequently, didn't pay the toll.  So then there was that stress of figuring out how to pay so we wouldn't be fined.  Silly Illinois roads/construction! 

There were also some stressful moments in the airport.  I was trying to push Brantley in the stroller, keep him happy, and steer my luggage.  Which was quite the challenge.  Getting rid of my suitcase (i.e. checking it) was the best thing I could have done!  But still, the line was ridiculously long and super slow-moving.  I was getting really nervous about catching (more like not catching) my flight.

They also needed identification for Brantley.  Who knew!?  He didn't require a ticket, but still had his own boarding pass in order to be accounted for...which I guess requires ID.  Luckily, I happened to have an old immunization card in my wallet.  Not up-to-date, but included his name and birthdate, which was all they needed.  I'm not sure what they would have done had I not had ID...

After going through that ordeal, we headed for security.  Another looooong line.  The butterflies in my stomach were worsening as our flight time neared closer.

Turns out, since I had a kiddo, we got a free pass to the front of the line!!  Score!  Perhaps the best part of flying with kids!  And those passengers in front and behind us also had kids, which made the proceess a little less stressful since we were all in the same boat.  Between my purse, diaper bag, iPad, shoes, stroller, etc., I think I sent about five bins through the x-ray machine!  Whew!  Flying with a kid is exhausting!  (As is everything with a kid, I've learned...)

Once we were through security, we had about 45 minutes to spare.  Just enough time to grab some Micky D's and eat. 

Another perk of flying with a kid?  Permission to board the plane early!  And since we were flying Southwest, that was a major plus.  We chose a window seat and Brantley did AMAZING on the flight home.  I fed him a bottle as we were taking off and landing.  He didn't at all seem bothered by the pressure.  En route, we read books, watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, played games on the iPad, and looked out the window.

First flight was a success!

As we were unloading, a few passengers around us commented on how well-behaved Brantley was.  The guy in front of us said his 14-month old would never have lasted like Brantley.  The mama in me was very proud!  (Granted, it was only a one hour flight....anything more and I may have agreed.)

As for our time in Wisconsin, it was short-lived, but very nice!  We visited with old friends, swam in the hotel pool, and, of course, attended the beautiful Calhoun/Mann wedding.  The bride was gorgeous, as was the vintage decor, wedding, and reception.  It was a tad on the warm side, especially for Wisconsin.  Early September temperatures average around 70 degrees, but on this particular day, it was 90!  Not exactly what they had hoped for for their outdoor ceremony under the bur oak tree, but it could have been way worse.

This was also the weekend we shared our Baby #2 news with my parents!  Brantley was wearing his "Only Child Expiring" shirt when we got there.  On the back, it read "Big Bro".  My mom immediately saw it and said, "Ummmm....is this a hand-me-down or are you trying to tell us something?"  "No, Mom, it's not a hand-me-down!  Surprise, you're going to be a grandma again!" :)

It was great to get out of KC for a weekend.  We wished we could have spent more time in Wisconsin.  We really would have liked to visit Madison, but I guess this gives us an excuse to go back sometime!

Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. (Calhoun) Mann!  Thanks for including us in your special day!