First Day of Pre-school

Wow ! How you have grown. Has it really been 3 years?

Carmen's first day was yesterday. She really liked the school. There were a few nerves when she saw the other kids crying but, as always she just pushed right through and really enjoyed herself. I on the other hand had a really hard time. You know I thought I was ready for it because I knew it was so good for her but, boy was I wrong!! I blubbered (I mean the ugly kind) all morning and after we left her. (She only saw me cry once) What really got me was she left Eeyore the whole time in her cubby! No security needed...here I go again.(sniff, sniff)

But, she was so ready for this next step. I realize that I am the one that is trying to prolong each milestone. She just comes through each stage with flying colors and is ready to jump both feet first into the next phase. But me, I go kicking and screaming.

I never thought that I could be so proud of another person as much as I am of Carmen. She is just so amazing! (sappy I know)

Look what I found.....

So, I am cleaning and packing today. I realize that Carmen is being kind of quiet. Now if she were upstairs I would just assume she was playing in the playroom but, she had come downstairs. I go to find her and this is what I see....

Mom: "What are you doing?"
Carmen: "Look, the alphabet mom."
Mom: "I see, where did you find them."
Carmen: "Nowhere, I just did."
Mom: "Uh, huh... you just found them lying around?"
Carmen: "Well, I didn't get them out of the bag, or uh no, look at all the letters."

Oh, the honesty of youth. Ok, so I let this one go. I mean how can you scold her for getting into the craft stuff when she is just trying to learn the alphabet, right?
(notice the OPI? Was that just a fluke? )

Classy Chaos: Ummmmmmm.... I am giving away classy sassy SHOES!!!

Classy Chaos: Ummmmmmm.... I am giving away classy sassy SHOES!!!

Mother musings.....

So, summer is winding down. We are going to North Carolina next week. Our last trip of the summer. At least summer will last a little longer for us. Carmen starts preschool when we return. I really am such a child with my daughter. I get so caught up in each stage that she moves into. I know that this is just pre-school and that she isn't really "in school" but, who cares. I still feel like her first day of school is coming and I am so excited. She is too. We have been looking at lunch bags and I am excited to get her some "school clothes". Really, any excuse to shop and live vicariously through my daughter is a good one.
School is going to be so fun for her. She is such a social little thing. She is so eager to learn everything she can. She is so smart and full of a wonderful zest for life. I know school will give her an outlet that she can grow and evolve in a way that is different than home, ya know.
Joel keeps shaking his head and laughing at all the things he can imagine she is going to be teaching other kids and learning form other kids. He says he can't wait to see what she will bring home.
I was just saying to a friend of mine that I still don't feel like a mom yet. I mean when does that come? I feel like a person along for the most exciting, thrilling, maddening, horrifying, amazing, hilarious, exhausting, beautiful, satisfying, and blessed journey of my life. I feel extremely privileged (and confused) that God allowed me to take part in such an amazing life.
What was He thinking!? I mean ME?! C'mon, He must really have a weird sense of humor right?! Oh well,I think I will just buckle up, hold on tight , not to tight I don't want to strangle her(not today anyway) and enjoy the ride!
Thanks for letting me ramble on.....

Carmen's surgery

So, things went really well for her surgery. In case you have missed it Carmen was diagnosed with VUR or Kidney reflux in the right kidney last year. She has been on a low grade antibiotic since last summer. We went in July for her follow-up and found it hadn't gotten better and it was now in both kidneys. So, we opted for a Minimal Invasive Surgery(MIS) I have attached a video link at the bottom that explains it all. Anyway, Children's in Seattle had a last minute cancellation so we were able to get in right away instead of waiting 2 months. Carmen is such a trooper. I was more nervous than her. She loves Children's because she gets so much specialized attention. And, we all know how modest she is.
I didn't cry until they brought her out of recovery. I thought I was holding up well but, when I saw her I realized just how stressed I was. She was just excited to get the orange Popsicle. Children's was so great. They gave Gillian a Popsicle too just for coming and supporting Carmen. They gave us her gas mask to take home. Last time she got a Dora match game to take home too. Amazing!
The one thing I came away with is just how wonderfully blessed we are that we have something that is fixable. Being at Children's really makes me thank God daily for the beautiful, healthy family I have been given.
http://www.empowereddoctor.com/media_143.html