Our New Routine

The cutest thing about our day today was waking Gabe up from his nap.  Gabe plays for a long time in his room when he goes down for his nap, which means that he falls asleep later and therefore wakes up later.  When it gets to be 4:30ish, Zach (who only seems to nap for about an hour these days) and I go upstairs and wake him up.

Waking Gabe up means that Zach bounds into his room and then starts rubbing Gabe's back or head, sometimes gently and other times very vigorously.  Gabe likes to pretend that he's still sleeping, and I can't blame him, seeing as he didn't wake up naturally.  The past couple of days, I've been picking Zach up and putting him into the bed with Gabe, who's still lying down.  Zach gets all jazzed at the idea of being in the bed with Gabe, so he starts squealing, hitting Gabe, and head-butting Gabe's pillow.  Gabe LOVES the energy and drama and he smiles and giggles, with his eyes closed (he's still pretending to be asleep).  Zach then hits Gabe's back or pokes at Gabe's eyeballs, and again, Gabe LOVES it.  Gabe giggles wholeheartedly, which spurs Zach on to become even more frenzied.  It's just super cute to witness.  It feels like Zach's thrilled to be with Gabe; and that Gabe's thrilled with Zach's entertaining, frenzied behavior.  It gives me hope that these two little boys will always love each other and become good friends.  And it's those times when I feel like I'm lucky to witness their relationship and joy.

Man, do I wish those moments lasted longer.... 

Another fun part of the day today was having a "dance party" in the playroom and dancing with Gabe.  We each had to hold a dinosaur and make the dinosaurs dance, too.  At one point, I felt super sorry for Gabe.  He was concentrating so HARD on watching my moves (I was doing the twist) and trying to move just like me.  'Magine????

Oh, and when Gabe and I were putting Zach down for his nap today, Gabe said to Zach, "Merry Christmas, Happy New Year."  Usually, Gabe tells Zach that when he wakes up, "we'll still be here for you."

Report Card

It was so much fun to pick Gabe up from school today.  (Zach was less than thrilled with the wait in the car line.)  Gabe came out smiling and waving.  He had a folder filled with some info for parents and a picture of the letter "P".  The teacher's aide said that he was really excited to show me his "work".  When he got in the car, he was pretty serious.  When I asked him how it went, he said that he didn't talk very nice.  He then added that he did talk nice but that Brandon did not talk nice to him.  So, he didn't talk nice to Brandon.  I asked if he had a snack and he said that he ate pretzles but threw away the juice or water.  When I asked him what his favorite part was, he said playing with the pretend cupcakes.  He was pretty quiet about what toys/friends he played with.  When I asked if he had a fun time with his teacher, Miss Jill, he said that she was busy working.  He was pretty cranky when he got home, he didn't want to eat right away, but he seemed to transition better after he sat in my lap and read a few books.  I was SO surprised that he didn't mention playing with Luca (who's the overactive boy in his class - Luca must have been out sick today).  I can't believe my baby's going to school!

Eating lunch after my first day of school

Gabe's first school project

Gabe's First Day of School

Making way for ducklings the morning before school

Zach enjoyed pretending to be a policeman

Still making way for ducklings (and dinosaurs)

I'm ready for school!

Trying to get a picture of the boys on Gabe's first day of school

Gabe's first day of school!



I finally decided to start blogging about our two little boys.  It's hard to remember all of the funny things they say and do every day, and I'm hoping this blog will help me journal it all.  So, today's Gabe's first day of preschool!!!  J and I were marveling at the fact that it's the first day of more than 20 years (hopefully) that he'll be going to school.  When we pulled up to the school, I asked him if he was excited and reminded him that it was his job to have fun, to listen, and to be good.  He said, "and if I'm fresh, I won't come back."  When the teacher's aide got him out of the car, he held right onto her hand, turned, and waved to me.  He was so excited.  It's a snowy, January day and the big did is starting school.  I can't wait to pick him up at 11:00 to hear all about it!