Motherhood Musings

This past week I've been thinking a lot about my role as a mother. Mostly because Allison started Kindergarten and lessly because of her doctor checkup. I didn't think much about the transition to kindergarten except that it was a big milestone and because she just keeps getting bigger/older on me, but that's nothing new. But mainly I didn't think much about it because she's been at the center on campus since I started college, she was 17 months old. This was old hat, right? Wrong. At the center I paid for a full day. I don't have to pay for kindergarten (unless you want to talk taxes). But even though I paid for a full day at the center I only had Allison there when I had classes or something else to do. The center was across town so unless I had a good reason for leaving her when I left school I didn't. Now even though I don't pay for a full day of kindergarten I get it like it or not. It is now a flipflop in that Ali has to be at school more than I do. Funny thing is though, I have to get up earlier to get her there and I haven't had a problem waking up with my alarm, waking her up, get us both ready and fed and out the door on time. Everyone knows I'm not a morning person, but motherhood changes the rules on things sometimes. Monday night was open house at her school. I was going to skip it but she was so excited to show us around that we had to go. This was my first open house as a parent! Different. And then there were the shots. I knew she'd need to be up to date on her shots before school and that appointment was yesterday. Thankfully she is in "excellent" health. Also thankfully she only needed one shot! Last year it was four. Terry said, yeah but they don't give them all in one day. YES! They do! I had to hold her still for four shots in a row in her legs! She was screaming so loud and I was crying too! I don't mind shots myself, but hearing her cries got me. I didn't tell her about the shots before yesterday's appointment, but half way there she asked straight up, "Do I have to get shots today?" It's hard to skirt around a blunt question like that. Compassionately I affirmed her fears. We talked about it a little with little help. So since I was driving I dialed Terry for help. He talked to her the rest of the way and whatever he said must've worked, she did cry until after the shot. She said she'd try to be brave and think about princesses like Dad said. It didn't help that waiting for the doc we could hear screams from the other rooms. I covered Ali's ears with my palms and waited until they stopped. All in all she handled it better than I thought. Some crying, but not extreme. I'm just glad it's over, I had been dreading it for sometime. I think we both felt the stress that night. I was grinding my teeth "like a shark" according to Terry. And Allison woke up in the night with a bloody nose. She hadn't had one of those in over a year! But after her bath tonight she gave herself a Barbie bandaid and all is well!

Ali Starts Kindergarten

Allison Meets Her Teacher

Allison starts Kindergarten tomorrow. It will be all day. Her teacher sent her a nice postcard to welcome her to the class, but there was no formal orientation set up for the school I called her teacher and asked if we could drop by and meet her and see the classroom. That's what we did yesterday. Her teacher's name is Mrs. Ducommun. She was very nice. As we entered the classroom Allison surprised me by walking ahead of me (instead of clinging to my leg) and introduced herself as "my name is Allison." and hugged her new teacher. Allison asked the question that had been burning in her mind since she got the postcard, "How did you know how to spell my name?" Mrs. Ducommun said the office gave her a list. Then she asked Ali if she could write her name on the chalkboard which Ali did nicely. Before the visit was over I asked Ali if she had any questions for her teacher. She thought for a while before asking, "Are aliens real or not?" to which her teacher replied, "No, they are just pretend." Relieved Ali said, "That's good." I did all I could not to laugh out loud, but every time I tell someone we share a big laugh. Watch for pictures of her first day. We are excited for this big landmark. It is interesting too, since I had a different experience.

Happy Birthday Gabrielle!

We had a fun time celebrating Gabrielle's birthday at lunch time. Enjoy the pics!

Ali's Cake

Terry loves white cake so I make it for him without a special occasion. Allison got part of it to decorate for herself. Here's the result>

Also notice the beautiful buttery sweater Oma made for Ali's first time in school.

Thanks Oma!

Smith Family Update

Our family has gone through some big changes recently and we continue to trudge through the changes eager for the day that we settle into our new routines.
For starters, I lost my job as a nanny (due to the pregnancy and timing etc.) It was a bit of a shock but I think it was a good thing in the end.
I have recently started a new job at Profesional Research Consultants Inc. I will be conducting healthcare surveys over the phone. But I am still in training. This job allows me to set my own hours and I can work it around Nicks schedule so that Sasha wont need to go to daycare. I will only be working part time. Perfect, because I need the time to get the house packed up. Which brings us to the next big change. We are moving. We will be renting a house. I am very excited about it because we will have three bedrooms and a fenced in back yard. (hopefully we will get a dog down the road. But first things first.)
We move in three weeks. August 23rd. I am really feeling the crunch. Once the move is complete the race will begin to get unpacked and settled in before our next big change happens. The arrival of MacKenzie Jo Smith. Due September 29th. (I love the little ticker countdown, by the way.) Once she is here I will be able to breath a sigh of releaf and we can all begin to settle into the new house and get use to being a family of four.
Sasha is deffinetly feeling unsettled through this prosses, but we just have to get her through the next couple of months. Nick and I are feeling stretched to the max as well, but thats ok we dont mind a little hard work. The only ones that dont seem to be upset by anything right now are the cats, Wicket and Cirrus. They are handling it great and have done well in the past everytime we have moved.
The picture is of Sasha playing at the park. Next to swimming, the park is her favorite thing to do. She loves being outside. And she loves anything active and physical. Deffinetly got those characteristics from her Daddy.
She knows that MacKenzie is coming and likes to kiss the belly and talk about her baby sister. But right now its all very abstract. It will be interesting to see what happens when she finds out that MacKenzie is a real person.
The pregnancy is going great. I have been very healthy and things have gone much easier for me this time then they did last time. Nick and I cant wait to see what this baby looks like. We are excited to meet her.
I think that brings everyone up to speed about our life right now. We miss you all.
Love Shawn

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Today Kent turned 23! He has blessed our lives for 23 years and counting. Hope you have a wonderful day and eat lots of cake! I love you Buddy!