Big Transitions

It's been a big week for our little ones, both of whom are experiencing brand new and exciting things.

First up in the exciting news department, Lucas can now officially be classified as a walker! He still falls ( a lot) and he is still having some trouble consistently finding his balance, but by and large he's there. He's taking an average of 15 steps in row, doesn't even attempt to crawl anywhere anymore unless it's an absolute emergency (and as you may have gathered from previous posts about our poky little boy, he doesn't have many of those) and he likes to pick up the biggest thing he can find and attempt to walk while holding it just to prove to everyone that he's a big strong walking dude or something. As Ellie would say with an exasperated sigh and throwing her hands up in the air - Boys!

In the midst of showing off all these motor skills (and baby brawn) he is also showing off his cognitive muscles. Lucas clearly said his first real word - "bye bye" - to me with an adorable little wave this week. (I find it fitting and a little sad that Elise's first word was hi and Lucas' was bye seeing as Elise was our first baby and Lucas our last). Technically, Opa reported that Lucas waved and clearly said "bye bye" to the day care staff when he picked Lucas up from school two weeks ago. However, as a working parent who can't be around at some of the key moments in her children's lives, I reserve the right to ignore other people's observations and pretend like it didn't happen until I witness it for myself. Anywho, Lucas has his first real word (other than random dada and mama not specific to us) under his belt and it's crazy to think that in a matter of months that belt will be stuffed with more words than I can count!

Big changes also came for Elise this week, as she had her "transition week" to a new class at school - our little girl is in Pre-K! Elise has never been the most adaptive child - she has never been one to enjoy change - and we (and by we, I actually mean me - Marty takes the 'Eh, she'll be fine' stance) were nervous about how she'd handle the move up to the new class. She tends to get rather attached to her teachers, and considering that she started referring to day care as "Kimmy's House" (the name of her favorite Transition Class Teacher) the whole switch up was worrisome.

But from the very first day, Elise handled the move like a champ and if anything has completely flourished in her new class. Every drop off has gone smoothly without a tear or complaint and every pick up she has been excited to tell us about all the fun things they did all day. It doesn't hurt that all of her best buds moved up right around the same time as she did, so the gang is still able to play together and there are more people to see and more things to do in Pre-K. Her teachers - Marie, Haleemah - are wonderful with her and she began to adore them immediately (Kimmy who?). In addition to all the other changes, she is also started her new routine of going to school 4 days a week instead of 3. This is yet another thing I thought she might struggle with, but I was once again worrying for nothing (story of my life) because she was having such a great time in her new class that she actually asked to go to school on the day she didn't have to! Cross your fingers that next week will go as well.