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Monday, September 13, 2010
Fun in the Rain
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Dancing Princess
Today Gabriella had her first dance class at New York Performing Arts Center in Washingtonville, NY. It is an independent class (not Mommy and Me), for which she is completely ready! Gabriella absolutely loves her leotard, ballet shoes, and tap shoes. They are all so tiny. I love it!
We are not allowed to watch the whole class. We bring the girls into the room in their tap shoes (a noisy experience, that is!), and then the door is closed and we listen outside to noises of gleeful cheering and noisy tapping. About halfway through the class, the teachers change the girls into ballet shoes, and all gets much quieter from the waiting room. I am actually quite happy that we do not watch the class because although I am very curious, I know that there would be way too much distraction if the class could see the Mommies watching (or if we could see the class).
As a great compromise, we are allowed in for the last five minutes of the class, so the girls can put on a little performance for us and so we can participate too (presumably to help them work on the skills). Everyone was lined up by height, and they followed their teacher in some basic ballet moves. Gabriella watched her teacher and started out great but then just stuck with the first move, until Tomas yelled, "Gabi, dance!!" So she did. It was just adorable!
At the very end, we all did a final "I love you" song, during which we used some hand gestures, and Gabriella tried to poke her eye out for the "I" gesture. Miss Cyara told us that Gabriella was singing during the entire class, keeping everyone entertained. Typical Gabi!
We are not allowed to watch the whole class. We bring the girls into the room in their tap shoes (a noisy experience, that is!), and then the door is closed and we listen outside to noises of gleeful cheering and noisy tapping. About halfway through the class, the teachers change the girls into ballet shoes, and all gets much quieter from the waiting room. I am actually quite happy that we do not watch the class because although I am very curious, I know that there would be way too much distraction if the class could see the Mommies watching (or if we could see the class).
As a great compromise, we are allowed in for the last five minutes of the class, so the girls can put on a little performance for us and so we can participate too (presumably to help them work on the skills). Everyone was lined up by height, and they followed their teacher in some basic ballet moves. Gabriella watched her teacher and started out great but then just stuck with the first move, until Tomas yelled, "Gabi, dance!!" So she did. It was just adorable!
At the very end, we all did a final "I love you" song, during which we used some hand gestures, and Gabriella tried to poke her eye out for the "I" gesture. Miss Cyara told us that Gabriella was singing during the entire class, keeping everyone entertained. Typical Gabi!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
A Fun, Active Day!
Today was a packed, action-filled Saturday. On this 9th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, we went to participate in a 5K organized by the Semper Fi Parents, a local charity. No running for me. I'm thinking that's not allowed at 7 months pregnant... However, we all walked over the Hudson River together, via the Walkway over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie. Although it was a bit chilly at first, it was also a beautiful clear day!
My favorite part of the walk was when Tomas decided to get out of the stroller and walk too. He was already wearing his shin guards and soccer socks, so we called this a warm up for soccer, which was immediately after the walk. He really approached that warm up with enthusiasm! He grabbed Pete's hand and they "ran" across the bridge (or part of it, anyway). All the way he kept saying, "This is my warm up for soccer so my body can get warm." It was so much fun to soak up his enthusiasm!
Tomas' first ever soccer experience started at 11:00, and boy was he excited! He gets to play on an all four-year-old team. They meet at the field at 11:00 to practice for half an hour and then play a short, 2 quarter game against another four-year-old team. After trying on his shin guards on Friday, he wanted to sleep in his soccer shoes, socks and shin guards. While that was very cute, it was not very practical; however, it was a perfect indicator of his enthusiasm for playing.
When we got to the field, Pete went with Tomas to find his team (it would have helped make that easier if I had reminded Pete of the coach's name...oops). By the time I got Gabriella out of the car and grabbed cameras and other gear, Tomas was already fitted with his shirt, which would probably more appropriately fit a 7 year old. The coach quickly got the kids out on the field for stretches. All of the kids were so enthusiastic to follow the directions they were given and be ready for their first day!
The practice basically entailed kicking goals into the giant goal (the full size one). It was so cute watching whoever was playing goalie get swallowed up in that giant net. Some of the kids were not able to kick the ball hard enough the first time out, so for many it was also an exercise in dribbling. Tomas has yet to master picking a distinct direction to kick the ball in, so his ball control needs a little work. However, he faithfully followed that ball and used his feet to control it, not once trying to pick it up. I will take that as a win!
The game was just too cute: twenty four-year-olds in two different color shirts enthusiastically chasing the ball in whatever direction it might be headed (nevermind that it's way out of bounds or toward the wrong goal). As the game progressed, exhaustion started to show. One child wound up crying. Tomas tried to quit during the water break. He was so exhausted, but with a little coaxing and a few extra sips of water, he headed right back out there to chase that ball. His exhaustion truly started to show when he was asked to be goalie at the very end. He yawned immensely and at one point curled himself into a little ball on the ground.
Despite exhaustion, Tomas loved the entire experience. He took a giant nap that afternoon, and asked on Sunday, "Mommy, is today soccer day?" A loooong week of waiting for the next soccer day ahead for us!
My favorite part of the walk was when Tomas decided to get out of the stroller and walk too. He was already wearing his shin guards and soccer socks, so we called this a warm up for soccer, which was immediately after the walk. He really approached that warm up with enthusiasm! He grabbed Pete's hand and they "ran" across the bridge (or part of it, anyway). All the way he kept saying, "This is my warm up for soccer so my body can get warm." It was so much fun to soak up his enthusiasm!
Tomas' first ever soccer experience started at 11:00, and boy was he excited! He gets to play on an all four-year-old team. They meet at the field at 11:00 to practice for half an hour and then play a short, 2 quarter game against another four-year-old team. After trying on his shin guards on Friday, he wanted to sleep in his soccer shoes, socks and shin guards. While that was very cute, it was not very practical; however, it was a perfect indicator of his enthusiasm for playing.
When we got to the field, Pete went with Tomas to find his team (it would have helped make that easier if I had reminded Pete of the coach's name...oops). By the time I got Gabriella out of the car and grabbed cameras and other gear, Tomas was already fitted with his shirt, which would probably more appropriately fit a 7 year old. The coach quickly got the kids out on the field for stretches. All of the kids were so enthusiastic to follow the directions they were given and be ready for their first day!
The practice basically entailed kicking goals into the giant goal (the full size one). It was so cute watching whoever was playing goalie get swallowed up in that giant net. Some of the kids were not able to kick the ball hard enough the first time out, so for many it was also an exercise in dribbling. Tomas has yet to master picking a distinct direction to kick the ball in, so his ball control needs a little work. However, he faithfully followed that ball and used his feet to control it, not once trying to pick it up. I will take that as a win!
The game was just too cute: twenty four-year-olds in two different color shirts enthusiastically chasing the ball in whatever direction it might be headed (nevermind that it's way out of bounds or toward the wrong goal). As the game progressed, exhaustion started to show. One child wound up crying. Tomas tried to quit during the water break. He was so exhausted, but with a little coaxing and a few extra sips of water, he headed right back out there to chase that ball. His exhaustion truly started to show when he was asked to be goalie at the very end. He yawned immensely and at one point curled himself into a little ball on the ground.
Despite exhaustion, Tomas loved the entire experience. He took a giant nap that afternoon, and asked on Sunday, "Mommy, is today soccer day?" A loooong week of waiting for the next soccer day ahead for us!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Hesitant, Sensitive Little Man
Tomas is very nervous about school. Today was his fourth day, and it is still difficult to get him out of the house in the morning, and tears are a daily occurrence at drop off. Boy oh boy is it pulling at Mommy's heart strings!!!
First, we have the issue that Tomas is NOT a morning person, and school starts at 8:30. In order to have him fed and reasonably awake by the time we leave, he needs to get up between 6:30 and 6:45. This is not popular! The only way to actually get him out of bed is to actually carry him down the stairs (fun with baby 3 in utero). He definitely wants to wear his pjs as long as possible!! Tomas is just a kid that needs to take his time in the morning (or he will be the kid asleep in the front row during first period).
I think that he also misses his school from last year a bit. That was the first time he really had his own friends and it is definitely tough to leave that behind. He just doesn't understand that all of those friends have moved on to other schools too. Poor kiddo.
We were looking at pictures from his first day together, and when he saw the pictures from the end of the day (at pickup), he said, "Mommy, I was happy because you came back!" Awww, the truth about the root of his nervousness comes out.
First, we have the issue that Tomas is NOT a morning person, and school starts at 8:30. In order to have him fed and reasonably awake by the time we leave, he needs to get up between 6:30 and 6:45. This is not popular! The only way to actually get him out of bed is to actually carry him down the stairs (fun with baby 3 in utero). He definitely wants to wear his pjs as long as possible!! Tomas is just a kid that needs to take his time in the morning (or he will be the kid asleep in the front row during first period).
I think that he also misses his school from last year a bit. That was the first time he really had his own friends and it is definitely tough to leave that behind. He just doesn't understand that all of those friends have moved on to other schools too. Poor kiddo.
We were looking at pictures from his first day together, and when he saw the pictures from the end of the day (at pickup), he said, "Mommy, I was happy because you came back!" Awww, the truth about the root of his nervousness comes out.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Whoa Baby!!!
It's hard to believe, but I'm officially in my third trimester with Baby Boy Pedraza (Who still has no name...Aaaaahhhh!!!). I had a doctor's appointment on Friday and upon leaving, I was told it was time to start 2 week appointments. What?!?! Oh man, this baby is already here. I'm excited, I'm worried, I'm freaking out!
Just 10 more weeks to spend time with Gabi before she becomes the "middle child." Tomas handled his little sister so smoothly. Gabriella is such a different child!! I sense a period of rebellion coming on with her, and it makes me oh so nervous! This, of course, is also the moment when I smack myself and say, "Stop being so pessimistic." But, the crazy preggers hormones think otherwise!!
On another note, today I clearly felt our new little guy's foot digging into my hip. It was the first time in any of my pregnancies that I was positive I was feeling a foot. In the past, I've always thought it was so amazing how women are able to say, "Oh, there was a foot." How do you know it's a foot, not a hand or a bum? Like I said, it was always a mystery! Today, however, I just knew it was a foot. So neat!!!
Just 10 more weeks to spend time with Gabi before she becomes the "middle child." Tomas handled his little sister so smoothly. Gabriella is such a different child!! I sense a period of rebellion coming on with her, and it makes me oh so nervous! This, of course, is also the moment when I smack myself and say, "Stop being so pessimistic." But, the crazy preggers hormones think otherwise!!
On another note, today I clearly felt our new little guy's foot digging into my hip. It was the first time in any of my pregnancies that I was positive I was feeling a foot. In the past, I've always thought it was so amazing how women are able to say, "Oh, there was a foot." How do you know it's a foot, not a hand or a bum? Like I said, it was always a mystery! Today, however, I just knew it was a foot. So neat!!!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
First Day of School
Today was Tomas' first day of school. What a huge moment! Starting today, he will go to school every school day for the next 14 years (at least...the next 18-22 years, more probably). Needless to say, I was a bit emotional! We woke up Tomas at 6:30 this morning. I picked him up to hold him in my lap (equally for some cuddle time as for a little motion to get him going), and he promptly wormed his way back into bed and under his blanket. He should be an AWESOME teenager!!!
Waffles and yogurt were on the menu for breakfast, and a bit of Nick Jr, too. Both Gabriella and Tomas had a nice relaxed time and also quite a bit of silly time. Overall, it was a good start to the day.
Soon, it was time to get in the car and head to school. Well, this is when all bets were off. Tomas insisted that he was not going to school, refused to wear his backpack, and definitely did not want to take any pictures! Gabriella, on the other hand, donned her backpack like a champ and headed out the door with a smile (fully unaware that she was not actually going to school today). Enticed by the lure of playing the letter game in the car, we were finally able to leave the house. The letter game essentially involves Tomas picking 2 random letters that are sometimes a blend and us talking about words that have those letters in them.
The drive to school was quick and painless (stupid oversized lawnmowers aside), but when we arrived at school, the hesitance resumed. Poor Tomas just didn't want to go up to the front door. It didn't matter how many cool Iron Man and Tinkerbell backpacks we pointed out; he didn't even want to step onto the sidewalk from the parking lot. Eventually, we pointed out that he couldn't just stand there in the parking lot, so he made the first steps, and, clinging to my hand, approached the door.
We had to wait for his teacher to come to the door, so we talked to a few people and attempted some more memorable pictures of his first day. They are definitely memorable, but smiles were not to be seen. Gabriella was walking around to each person, especially those with Tinkerbell backpacks, and talking up a storm. Tomas picked a spot on the sidewalk away from everyone else, sat down, and refused to talk. When Mrs. Carter came to the door to collect her class, it wasn't too much of a battle to get Tomas to the door (note Pete's idea to tell Tomas he was going to give his backpack to another kid if he didn't want to go..............). Tomas held my hand heading there and then one of the school staff took over to help out. Pete snuck into the building to take a few pictures of a silently tearful, pouty Tomas.
What happened while he was at school will remain a mystery. Each child has to be signed out individually when picked up, and when I signed Tomas out, he ran over and gave me a giant and wonderful hug! However, whenever Pete or I tried to ask him about his day, silence or "I don't remember" were pretty much the only answers we got. My attempt to give Tomas 2 snacks (6 bunny crackers and 6 grapes) failed I think because I put them in 2 separate containers. Oops, I cheated. Next time, I guess the grapes and crackers go in the same container and we'll see what feedback I get.
Tomorrow is another day. Pete will be dropping off Tomas because I have a doctor's appointment, so I will be hearing all about it, I hope.
Waffles and yogurt were on the menu for breakfast, and a bit of Nick Jr, too. Both Gabriella and Tomas had a nice relaxed time and also quite a bit of silly time. Overall, it was a good start to the day.
Soon, it was time to get in the car and head to school. Well, this is when all bets were off. Tomas insisted that he was not going to school, refused to wear his backpack, and definitely did not want to take any pictures! Gabriella, on the other hand, donned her backpack like a champ and headed out the door with a smile (fully unaware that she was not actually going to school today). Enticed by the lure of playing the letter game in the car, we were finally able to leave the house. The letter game essentially involves Tomas picking 2 random letters that are sometimes a blend and us talking about words that have those letters in them.
The drive to school was quick and painless (stupid oversized lawnmowers aside), but when we arrived at school, the hesitance resumed. Poor Tomas just didn't want to go up to the front door. It didn't matter how many cool Iron Man and Tinkerbell backpacks we pointed out; he didn't even want to step onto the sidewalk from the parking lot. Eventually, we pointed out that he couldn't just stand there in the parking lot, so he made the first steps, and, clinging to my hand, approached the door.
We had to wait for his teacher to come to the door, so we talked to a few people and attempted some more memorable pictures of his first day. They are definitely memorable, but smiles were not to be seen. Gabriella was walking around to each person, especially those with Tinkerbell backpacks, and talking up a storm. Tomas picked a spot on the sidewalk away from everyone else, sat down, and refused to talk. When Mrs. Carter came to the door to collect her class, it wasn't too much of a battle to get Tomas to the door (note Pete's idea to tell Tomas he was going to give his backpack to another kid if he didn't want to go..............). Tomas held my hand heading there and then one of the school staff took over to help out. Pete snuck into the building to take a few pictures of a silently tearful, pouty Tomas.
What happened while he was at school will remain a mystery. Each child has to be signed out individually when picked up, and when I signed Tomas out, he ran over and gave me a giant and wonderful hug! However, whenever Pete or I tried to ask him about his day, silence or "I don't remember" were pretty much the only answers we got. My attempt to give Tomas 2 snacks (6 bunny crackers and 6 grapes) failed I think because I put them in 2 separate containers. Oops, I cheated. Next time, I guess the grapes and crackers go in the same container and we'll see what feedback I get.
Tomorrow is another day. Pete will be dropping off Tomas because I have a doctor's appointment, so I will be hearing all about it, I hope.
School Days
Today is the first day of school for Tomas! I'm nervous! (Yes, I know, I'm not the one going to school).
Yesterday we had the opportunity to visit his school, meet his teacher and explore his classroom a bit. He told me the night before that he doesn't like his new school; he likes his old school and it's toys better. Having never been to his new school before, I knew this was his way of expressing his anxiety. Then, on the way toward the front door of the school yesterday, he said, "Mommy, Daddy, my tummy hurts! I think I ate too much food." Sweet little Tomas was nervous, so Daddy carried him a good part of the way toward the front door, until the sound of lots of kids was heard and his nervousness started to turn to excitement.
His classroom and teacher, Mrs. Carter, were warm and welcoming. Colorful rugs adorned the floor, and Tomas had many opportunities to find his name throughout the room. In the end, it was a battle to leave the room (Tomas, in all of his thoroughness, wanted to get a chance to explore every nook and cranny.
This morning, reticence has taken over yet again. He was not interested in getting out of bed, and is now telling me, yet again, that he doesn't want to go to school. I'm sure there will be many days of Mommy the Cheerleader before these feelings turn around for him.
Yesterday we had the opportunity to visit his school, meet his teacher and explore his classroom a bit. He told me the night before that he doesn't like his new school; he likes his old school and it's toys better. Having never been to his new school before, I knew this was his way of expressing his anxiety. Then, on the way toward the front door of the school yesterday, he said, "Mommy, Daddy, my tummy hurts! I think I ate too much food." Sweet little Tomas was nervous, so Daddy carried him a good part of the way toward the front door, until the sound of lots of kids was heard and his nervousness started to turn to excitement.
His classroom and teacher, Mrs. Carter, were warm and welcoming. Colorful rugs adorned the floor, and Tomas had many opportunities to find his name throughout the room. In the end, it was a battle to leave the room (Tomas, in all of his thoroughness, wanted to get a chance to explore every nook and cranny.
This morning, reticence has taken over yet again. He was not interested in getting out of bed, and is now telling me, yet again, that he doesn't want to go to school. I'm sure there will be many days of Mommy the Cheerleader before these feelings turn around for him.
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