Off To Preschool We Go!

Ever since Aidan became potty trained we've been looking for a preschool for him. He's three and it's time for him to go. So, we toured a couple and I found one I really liked. It was the Montessori preschool in Oakville. It was also $300+ a month. After reviewing the budget it soon became apparent that it was going to be too expensive. As much as I really liked that school, it just wasn't feasible right now. Especially after talking to some friends and finding out how much they pay for preschool a month. So, I decided to tour the preschool at the YMCA in South County. Aidan has a friend that goes there and I knew their rate was more in our price range. (Like half the cost of the Montessori school.) After having a 30 minute conversation with the director I scheduled a tour for Friday. Their program is 9a-12p, they get to take advantage of the kid's pool, the toddler gym and bounce houses. Their teachers seemed nice and Aidan started playing as soon as we got there. He cried when we had to leave too. So I filled out all the paperwork and paid the registration fee. He starts Wednesday. I hope that this will be a good fit for him. And of course I'm a little worried because it's his first time going to school or being away from me like this. And because it wasn't my first choice, I think I'm a little more nervous. There are a few things that I'm concerned about like that they don't have little kid sized potties like the other preschools do. And that he can't bring toys from home so no Tigger, unlike the other preschools. I'm a little worried that he won't get help in the bathroom if he needs it. I guess that's normal stuff to worry about. I just want him to be successful and to have fun. But it's only 3 hours so I shouldn't worry too much. (He can hold it 3 hours anyway. Heck, he held it all the way up to Iowa last time we drove.) I think I would feel more comfortable if I was sending him to the place I felt I handpicked and thought was the best opportunity out there, not just the best for what I can afford. This is his first experience with school and structured education. I want him to get off on the right foot and to like school since this is the foundation for future learning. I'm probably over thinking this. Either way, I've told myself that if he doesn't like it or it isn't the place for him then next year we can send him to Montessori. Wish us both luck. I'm not sure who's going to need it more, him or me. :)

The Allergist Pt. 2

Tuesday I got a call from the allergist's office. They had tracked down Aidan's results. The nurse told me that his blood level was low enough that they would've done the skin test anyway. However, since he reacted to the skin test, he's still a no-go for peanuts. All that changes is that they want him to come back in 1 year to retest. They're hoping since the level was low, in their opinion, he'll "outgrow" the allergy by then. So, next year, back we go! That should be fun. Another interesting thing they found was he had a low positive for pecans and sesame seeds too. He's had both of those and never had a reaction. So, they seem to think that his body is already finding a way to adjust to those allergens and he can still have them. Hopefully the same will happen with peanuts.

This whole process has apparently made an impact on Aidan. Today he was giving the cats and I "shots" and telling us it was going to hurt "really really bad". He even told me during my "shot" not to move so much. Just like the lab tech said to him. He also told Max that he "knows it hurts. It's ok." It's so interesting to watch him process it all by acting it out and in a way where he has control over the situation. He also talked about it a bit. He mentioned the new doctor, the toys there, and that the skin test hurt although he called it a shot. I'm not looking forward to doing this again next year.

A Trip to the Allergist (or Aidan's least favorite place on Earth!)

Monday was Aidan's allergist appointment. I made Julien take the morning off to come with us. I didn't think that I could handle both kids and be able to manage Aidan at the same time. I was very glad that I made him come. We hadn't even left the house yet when Aidan started to freak out. He talked about the blue tourniquet strap that they used when they drew blood. He said that he didn't want the "blue thing" again. I tried to explain that he wouldn't get his blood drawn again and that it wasn't going to hurt. (Apparently I am not that convincing. Neither is Julien.) We talked about how they were going to feed him peanut butter and that would be the worst of it. He didn't like that idea either telling me that "it's ackey". (Boy do we have that kid trained well!) So, we had to tell him that it was ok just this once and maybe the doctor would let him have it from then on. We were hopeful anyway. Well we all got in the car and headed to the allergist. I made sure to pack heavy as I had no idea how long it would take or how bad Aidan would be. So, I took enough bottles and formula for the entire morning and toys for Aidan to play with. Julien had picked out a toy for Aidan to get after the appointment as sort of a reward. It was an Imaginex dragon with a knight. Very cool. So we get there and are taken back to the exam room. Aidan is ok when he sees there are toys in the room. (Something I like about that office.) Then the doc comes in. She tells us that they are on the phone with the lab trying to find the results to his blood work. Remember that blood work that traumatized Aidan that the office told us we had to do before the appointment. Yeah, the lab can't find it. This peeves me to say the least. So the doc said we would just do the skin test. The blood work would give her a number that I assumed has to do with the level of antibody in the blood. She said if the number was high it would tell her not to do the food challenge but if it was low she would do the skin test anyway. She did sympathize with us about losing the results after the whole drama it caused. I told her I'd like to hear the results anyway but I haven't gotten a call. So we did the skin test. At this point Daddy went to get Aidan's present and I helped Aidan with the skin test. I had no idea that he would freak out so hard about this too. He screamed that he wanted his shirt back on, he cried, he screamed, his face turned bright red. He fought Julien the entire 15 minutes. The doc even checked on him cause he was so loud. Well, when it was all said and done, he had a big reaction to the skin test. About as big as the control. The first time we did it about 18 mos ago he didn't react at all. And he hasn't had any peanuts or PB since then. So the doc determined it wouldn't be safe to do the challenge and he would officially have a peanut allergy. She gave us a prescription for another epipen and told us to come back at 5 years old to try it again. Since Aidan reacted this time around, that means Olivia has an increased chance of having the allergy too. Not a huge chance but enough that she isn't to have peanuts before 3 years old. So we left the office and decided to go to MacArthur's for donuts. We all had been through a lot that morning and donuts were definitely needed. Julien and I were both surprised that the skin test reacted so big. Julien even said to me "You were right. He really is allergic." I would've been all right with being wrong on this one. So, until the next allergist appointment (which I'm thankful isn't for 2 years, it'll take Aidan that long to recover from this one.) we continue to be a peanut-free household.

Halloween 2009

Aidan was really looking forward to trick or treating this year. He's reached that magical age where things are starting to make sense to him and that makes holidays even more fun. He loved his costume this year. He was a dragon with wings and all. He practiced his roar and flapping his wings. So when it was dark enough, we got both kids dressed and out we went. I thought we would go just up our street. But, all the kids in the circle came out at the same time and we decided to all go together. So we went up and down the street then further into the subdivision, and down two more streets. Aidan was such a trooper. Of course he and Lana stuck together. Not only cause they are best buds but being the littlest they kind of slowly bring up the rear. Olivia came with in her ladybug bunting costume and got a ride in the stroller. She only made it one street as it got a little too cold for her. Aidan kept on, opening his bag and saying "trick or treat" like a pro. After two streets we decided to head back while the bigger kids went further up the neighborhood. By the time we got back to the circle, they had already lit the fire pit and were drinking coffee. (It was a little chilly last night.) Aidan ran around the circle and chased the other kids. Every time a trick or treater came he would stop and come and see. Eventually, we had to put a coat and gloves on him it got cold enough. Olivia went inside to sleep and actually slept awhile without us. We had hot chocolate, marshmallows, hot dogs, wine. We gave away a lot of candy. We went through an entire 6 pound bag with less than 12 pieces left. We hung out with the neighbors and had a great time. Aidan stayed up way past his bedtime and was tired. In fact, he went to nap early today and crashed. It was a lot of fun and we can't wait to do it again next year.

My Poor Little Guy

Today Julien called me all frantic and told me that the allergist's office had left a message on his phone. Apparently Aidan needed some blood work done before his appointment on Monday. Suddenly I remembered that I forgot to update our info with the nurse when I scheduled his appointment. But then again, the nurse never asked. So, after calling the office I was told that Aidan needed blood drawn either today or tomorrow in order for the results to be done by Monday. I decided I would just take him today and get it over with. I was not looking forward to this at all. Not to mention I had just put him down for nap. Mistake number one was trying to explain to him what we were doing before I got him in the car. I told him that I needed him to be brave and that they were going to pinch him a little. He freaked out at that. Mistake number two was not having Julien go too. We got there and Aidan was fine with being in the lab. I put him in my lap and another nurse helped to hold him. The lab tech stuck him and he flipped out!!! He wiggled him arm and the needle came out and poked him again. The lab tech asked if I wanted to come back tomorrow and try again. I told her that this needed to get done in time for the appointment and I don't think we were going to have any better luck next time. So we layed him on a exam table and I laid across his chest while the nurse and another tech held him and the first tech tried to take his blood. He cried and screamed and told me they were going to hurt him. It was awful. And oh my did he fight. The entire time. The tech couldn't keep his elbow flat and he wouldn't quit moving. So they got a little bit of blood and called it. We obviously weren't getting anymore out of him and he was terrified. Aidan got a band aid and some stickers and we went home. I set him up on the couch with a pillow and blanket and we watched some Mighty Machines and ate cookies. I felt him had more than earned it. Eventually he let me put an ice pack on his arm. Poor guy, he kept talking about his boo boo. I really hope we don't have to do that anytime soon. They better be able to use what they got from him because I don't think he'll be willing to try again on Monday.

The Kids' Photoshoot!

What a busy weekend! It took both days to prepare for the photographer to come. You might remember that last March, Julien and I went to trivia night with some friends. While we were there I ended up winning a silent auction package that included a mural for Olivia's room and a professional photo package. We finally got around to scheduling and using it. I was so excited to get Olivia's pictures done and to get pictures of the kids together. And best of all, he came out to the house to do them! Let me tell you how much easier that made things. So, Saturday was spent at the mall looking for coordinating outfits. I ended up at Gymboree, which is an incredibly dangerous place for me to go, and found some really cute stuff. I wanted them to look dressy so they also satisfy Christmas pictures and the Christmas card pic if I don't get around to scheduling a family photo. So, I found red and black outfits. Aidan had an argyle sweater and matching socks. And he loved his black dress shoes and the sound they make. He was constantly taking them off and putting them on by himself. Olivia had the cutest black dress with a red bow and a red turtleneck under. I had to hunt for tights for her. I thought I would be able to just go to Target and get black tights but I was wrong. Gymboree didn't have them in her size. I've learned that I need just to go to Children's Place for that kind of stuff. They had every color and size and they were on sale. Add a red headband and some black shoes that were handed down to us and she was adorable. I didn't get any pics of her in her outfit before the photographer came but I did get a couple of Aidan. The photographer did a great job with the kids, especially considering he doesn't have kids himself, just nephews. But I guess you do the job long enough and you get used to whatever kids can throw your way. Aidan wasn't really into the whole picture thing at first and was a little shy. In the end, we used Aidan's little "girlfriend" Lana to get him to pose. We told him that "oh she'd really like that one" or "Lana will think that's so cute" and it worked! Lana had left Aidan a little card in the mailbox the other day and we even used that in some of the pictures. Her parents thought that was so funny. Olivia wasn't as hard to get to pose. :) She actually did really well and smiled a lot. We got some of her on her tummy and now that she's rolling we had to add extra pillows around her. She kept rolling onto her back while we were trying to take the picture. Too funny! In the end, it took less than an hour. The photographer had lighting and a backdrop and was very professional. And on time which is such a big thing to me! I'm really looking forward to getting the proofs in about a week to two weeks. And we get to keep the proofs as part of the package! Awesome! I can't wait to share them with everyone.

Olivia's Newest Milestone

Well, I think we've recovered from our trip to Iowa. Although I think it reinforced Olivia's dislike of the car. (It may be a long year before she gets to turn around and face forward.) As soon as we were home it was off to the races as normal. Off to soccer, where Aidan seems to be listening less and less each time we go. I think we have come to the conclusion that we will go back to soccer if he wants to when he's older and ready. Sunday was laundry and cleaning and trying to catch up while exhausted. This week has been more go-go-go. We managed to accomplish this week getting the Civic inspected and re-registered, going to playgroup, getting Aidan's physical form completed for preschool, going to the post office, and I even read a book.(I know, don't be shocked. When Olivia wants to be held while napping I figured I should make good use of the time. I read Breakfast at Tiffany's this week.) Also this week I was able to schedule with the photographer who is coming out to take the kids' pictures. I won this photo package way back when I won the mural in Olivia's room. I'm excited about this. They will be Olivia's first pictures. And the photographer is bringing backgrounds and we don't have to deal with going somewhere to have them done. I still have to get their outfits, which I better hurry up and do as we're scheduled for Sunday afternoon. I'm hoping that next month we will be able to do a family portrait and Christmas card. We're not doing it this weekend because we only get so much for free and I'm not sure what this guys prices are. And I know of a place here where I can get 40 pics of one pose for $10. That's definitely in my price range. :)

We also had an exciting thing happen today. Not only did Olivia turn 12 weeks old today but she rolled over for the first time! We were playing on the floor and I noticed she's close to rolling from back to tummy. I thought she might be able to make the other way around so I turned her over and got the camera, just in case. Sure enough, two minutes later, she got herself all the way over! And I was able to video tape it on my camera. I actually have Aidan's first rollover on video too. How cool is that? I love being home and seeing all the firsts. It's amazing how quickly Olivia is growing and changing. She's incredibly strong. When we sit together, she tries to pull herself up to a sitting position. She has abs of steel! :) It won't be long until she's sitting up and then crawling. I know the time will fly by even faster than it did with Aidan. Hopefully that means sleeping through the night is around the corner too. (No, she still isn't doing that.)

Tomorrow we're off to playgroup to paint pottery. Should be fun!