A whole year!

I have been a mom for a whole year.  In some ways, it seems like just yesterday, in other ways, it feels like I've always been their mom!  Last Sunday we celebrated a year with having Nikki in our family, and this Sunday, we will celebrate a year with Jackson and Alli.  So, since it's been a whole year, (and almost 5 months since I blogged) I think it's time for some updates.

Nikki-  Nikki had a hard summer.  The schedule and routine was a bit much for her.  While bedtime continued to get better (on the whole), she was still having 2-3 tantrums a day.  In the Spring she was having 2-3 a week...  but I think the routine just made things that much harder for her.  The nice thing to see, however, was that they were much shorter lived then they used to be, and sometimes we could stop the melt down before it happened. She has only been in school for 2 days, but they have been good days.  She LOVES her teachers and her school, and I am so thankful for that.

She is also staying dry overnight now.  Give it a few more days, and I just might be brave enough to do "unders" overnight! (maybe :-))

Jackson-  Jackson is using his words to communicate now.  While he still reverts to whining and melting down, he is doing it less.  He is starting to realize that words can get him something, and that is a blessing.  He will start preschool the end of October (when he turns 3), and I can't wait for him to get even more help

He is also pretty-much pee trained!  He got it in a week too, which I thought was impressive given his delays.  The only time he has accidents is after his parent visits.  We are still waiting for him to grasp "# 2"... stay tuned ...

Alli-  Oh my, Alli!  She is a spit-fire!  She has been climbing forever.  Now she moves furniture to help her get up on everything, and even over gates!  She is walking everywhere, and loves her new found sense of freedom. 

She is also talking up a storm.  Her favorite words are Alli, Jackson, No, up/down, thank you, and hi.  She also says cat, dog, stuck, more, oops, and wow.  On top of that, she also repeats just about everything that is said.  She is so bright.  She watches everything that is going on, and is learning all the time from the things around her.

All five of us had a good summer.  We had a chance to spend sometime with family in New York and Maine... which is always fun.  The kids got to go to Bustin's Island, and they LOVED the crabs.  They also got to go on "big boats", kayaks, a pony, and do many more "summer" things.

Even though we enjoyed the summer, I think most of me is ready for the routine and cooler temperatures of the Fall.