Happy Fall!

Well we've all seemed to get back into the swing of things returning to school.  Ryan and Julia are doing very well and are getting glowing reports from their teachers.  Like with all kids, I'm sure, there are times when we have to work around Ryan's resistance to homework.  But there is a noticeable improvement from last year to this year despite the tremendous increase in the amount of work he receives (about triple the amount over last year!).  He has a math worksheet everyday and this is easy for him to do and he rarely gives us a difficult time about completing it.  It is usually the first thing he wants to get done, which as a math teacher, puts a smile on my face.  The reading and writing is where he gets stumped and causes the most resistance.  But with breaks here and there we can get through the homework.  It can spread out from 4 - 8 but we don't mind as long as it is getting done.  Things are going great with Ryan on the Focalin.  Our only concern would be the loss of appetite that he often displays.  He is so skinny as it is.  He takes the medication in the morning before he leaves for daycare and then again with the nurse at school at lunchtime.  During the last post I mentioned that we needed to change psychiatrists.  We have done that and now have someone in our plan.  And we have also worked it out where some of the monthly prescriptions can be written directly from his pediatrician, which is awesome because she is located about 2 minutes from home.

Jack has adjusted nicely to his routine at day care.  He often cries for a minute when I drop him off but it is brief and he enjoys his time there.  But I do love seeing his face when I pick him up in the afternoon.  It melts my heart at how happy and excited he is that momma is back to get him.  My trips dropping him off and picking him up will dwindle down as I will be home with the new baby and that job will now become Phil's until I'm ready for Jack to stay home with us.  Maybe at the end of December.

This is my last week at work, as I'm less than two weeks away from my due date.  Leave it to baby #4 for my feet, ankles, and legs to swell during pregnancy.   Definitely not fun and it has been a rough couple of weeks.   I finally packed my bag for the hospital and I think Phil and I have at last agreed on a name (we're not telling!)  We're all excited to meet our new addition to the family but I also know that I will miss my friends at work and my students.  In the grand scheme of things I know they will get by just fine without me and these next 8 months will be such a small portion of their entire educational career, but I will still miss them.

Ryan has been into drawing lately, more so than ever.  He draws these elaborate scenes in a notebook while he's in bed at night.  They range across a variety of topics but usually have something to do with either a book that he recently read, a show that he is obsessed with watching, or an event that took place that he was extremely excited about.  For example, our neighbor, a police officer, brought home an Army-type hummer one day and invited the kids over to sit in it and check it out.  Ryan went bananas over it and drew Army vehicles for several days in a row.

There are several birthdays this week in our family.  My Uncle Tony in Heaven would have been celebrating his birthday.  Last month his grandson, Anthony Robert was born at approximately 32 weeks.  He was just released from the hospital yesterday.  We are thankful that things are going well for him and we can't wait to meet him!  It is also the birthdays of both of my grandmothers and mother.  All three of these women sacrificed a lot raising their children.  My mom raised my brother and I while running our family business.  Her and my dad worked crazy hours each week to build the business and keep it running successfully for almost 30 years before they sold it.  My mom's mom raised 6 children during the day and then worked in the evenings when my grandfather got home in order to help support the family.  And my dad's mom raised four children in a poor countryside town in Italy before coming over to America and making a life for them here.  Mom's make such tremendous sacrifices for their children.  No offense to the dads out there, as you too make an impact on your child's life.  But there is something about a mother's bond with her children that makes being a mom the best feeling in the world.  I hope I am being the best mom I can be for my children.  I know they don't always show appreciation for it now but that will not stop me.  There are enough special moments to keep me going.  Here is one of those special moments.  This is an excerpt of an email I received from my daughter's teacher just a couple of days ago:

"I wanted to send you a quick message to let you know how much I enjoy having Julia in my class!! She comes in everyday with a smile on her face, ready to learn, kind words to others, and always eager to participate.  Today I had to take a half day, my daughter had a doctor appointment this afternoon.  As I was saying goodbye to the class, Julia looked up at me with a big smile and said, 'Mrs. Smith - are you putting on your Mom hat now?'  I cracked up!  I was thinking of her just now and wanted to let you know she puts a smile on my face."

Here are some updated pictures from the past month:

First Day of School

Ryan continues to struggle with his soccer skills, but I'm so proud of him for not giving up!

At 36 weeks.

Jack's first haircut!  I do hope the curls continue to come back, but he was starting to look like a girl and needed a trim!

A typical day for Julia who loves the outdoors!

Pumpkin decorating time!  The kids are super excited for Halloween.  Stay tuned for pictures in their costumes!

Speaking of costumes, here is mine this year.  I wore it a little early this year since I'm hoping baby girl Campbell will be here by Halloween!  My students got a kick out of it!  Here I am at 38 weeks.

Keep an eye out for the kids' pictures in their Halloween costumes (assuming Halloween is not cancelled a third year in a row due to some massive snow storm or hurricane).  And we will of course post pictures and an update when the baby is born.  Any day now!!!

DC