Car Time

This is often how we pass time in the car . . . (Note: please ignore my voice :) )

Nursery Update

Since we are living with my parents until we move to SC, we have been going with them to church.  Austin  absolutely loves the nursery leader at Mt. Zion.  The first time he saw her, he shot her a big smile and a wave.  I went in the nursery with him planning to stay the entire time, but it was like I wasn't even there.  His cousin Kensi was there that Sunday and when he saw her he walked right in and started playing.  He stayed the entire time!!!  He did the same thing last week.  Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

Nursery

In our Church, when children are 18 months old they can start going to Nursery for 2 hours.  I have been looking forward to this since we spend most of the last two hours of church in the hall with Austin.  He went by himself for the first time last week.  I dropped him off, he went straight to the play-doh table, and seemed really happy.  So I left.  About 10 minutes later, I heared a child SOBBING outside of the Sunday School door.  He was crying so hard, I didn't even recognize Austin's cry.  When the nursery teacher opened the door, I saw how sad he was.  Even after I held him he didn't stop crying.  So I spent the rest of Church in Nursery with him (which is still way better than chasing him through the halls!)  Oh well, we will try again next week!  But didn't he look so cute for his first day?

(This picture is of him laughing so hard at his dad that he can barely stand up.)

Austin will be 18 months old tomorrow. I seriously can't believe how quickly time is passing.  A few bits of info about Austin:

* He is in the 93rd percentile for weight and the 99th percentile for height - he's a big boy! 

*He loves Elmo (nana)

* His favorite thing to do is run around and kick or throw a ball

*He LOVES strawberries, grapes, and yogurt

*He is such a great sleeper (finally).  He takes a 2-3 hour nap everyday and sleeps for 12 hours at night.

*He panics if we are getting him out of his carseat and he doesn't have a ball to take with him.  You can just see the relief on his face when we give him a ball.

*His new favorite word is "no."  And he loves to shake his head "no."

*He loves to say "Dadadadadadada"

*His knee is always scraped.

*When we say prayers he folds his arms and sticks his tongue out - pretty sure he learned that from his dad.

*He eats all day - literally.

*When we say "Time to change your diaper" he always hides behind the chair in the living room.

*He loves reading books - by himself and with mom and dad.

*He now sleeps with frog, big elmo and little elmo.

We love him so much.  He has the funniest personality. He keeps us laughing and smiling all day.  We can't wait to see what he thinks of our life in the Carolinas!

Elmo

Several months ago my friend Bre posted a video of Elmo tap dancing that her kids really like.  Austin loved it!  It was the first time he showed any interest in cartoon characters, or cartoons in general.  I have to say , I'm so glad we saw Elmo that day.  Ever since then, Elmo has made our lives much easier.

Austin will eat pretty much anything (even broccoli) - IF he can use his Elmo fork or spoon.

Right before bed we clean up Austin's toys  and read a few books.  Austin usually does this happily, and I think part of the reason is because when he's done with those two things he gets to watch Elmo for 10-15 minutes.  He lays on the couch so calmly and gets nice and relaxed before bed. 

Most of the time, he's happy to get in his crib because he knows Elmo will be waiting to snuggle with him.  As soon as we put him in his crib, he dives towards Elmo and gives him a big hug.  When I'm closing his door, I can usually hear him giving Elmo a kiss. 

Thank you Elmo!!!

Next Chapter

I have 5 1/2 more days left of this school year and then I will be a stay at home mom.  I don't know how long I will be able to stay home and not work out of the home, but I plan to enjoy it while I can!

Being a Special Education teacher has been a huge part of my life for the past 6 years.  It is extremely challenging and the most rewarding thing I had done until I became a mother.  As excited as I am to stay home with Austin, I am going to miss teaching so much.  I had my last IEP of the year (a meeting where we determine what kind of services that child will receive and the goals we will be working on for the year).  I assumed I would be elated after having this last meeting, but I was so sad.  This child made such amazing progress in one school year, I just want to know where she'll be in 1, 5, even 10 years from now.  The look on that parent's face when I reported her child's progress was unforgettable.  Those are the moments I will truly miss. Knowing that the work I do all day really does make a difference, no matter how small the progress may seem.  And that these children need someone to fight for them.  I loved that part of my job!  I have been so lucky to have a job that is so rewarding.  It is emotionally and physically draining, but so rewarding.

Because it is so draining, it's hard to come home and feel like I don't have the energy I need for my OWN child.  I look forward to spending more time with Austin and making more of a difference in his life and being the person that fights for what he needs, just like I did with my sweet students.  I miss him so much during the day. It will be hard to leave teaching, but I can't wait to spend more time with my buddy.

I look forward to always being an advocate for children with special needs, in any way that I can.  It's something I feel very strongly about. (Just ask Jeff - he gets to hear ALL about how I feel about my job).  I'm sure I will go back to working in the Special Education field in the future.  I can't wait to teach my own children about being accepting of EVERYONE.  I truly hope they will be understanding of the differences between them and their friends/peers.  It is heartbreaking to see a child not be accepted by their peers because they are "different."  Although I am quitting in a few days, I feel like I will always be a Special Educator.  I don't think I could truly quit, even if I wanted to. :)

In the past year (especially the past 7 months) I have been reminded that prayers are answered in the way that is best for us and/or  according to God's will.  The realization that a prayer has been answered is an overwhelming feeling, one that makes my heart feel so full.  This is a short post, but I just want to document how grateful I feel today for how my family's prayers have been answered.