Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Mommy and Me Preschool


It doesn't get any more cheery than this right? You're absolutely right it doesn't! And this was the last of these cheery faces. The first day of Mommy and Me Preschool was an utter failure, I'd say :) Thankfully we didn't get kicked out.....yet. The problem seems to be that there is only ONE of me, and TWO of them. I think they plotted to try and bring me down before the class started! Due to a crazy busy morning and things not going as planned, we got there right at 9:31. Class started at 9:30. First fail of the day. All the handicap spots were taken by people without handicap stickers (yes we have a sticker but only use it when there's absolutely no other option-this case would have been a perfect example of when we really NEEDED a handicap spot and yes we qualify for it for both safety and mobility reasons)....anyways........

I parked across the street and put Mila on one hip and Sofia on the other. Mila weighs 34.5 pounds and Sofia weighs 28 pounds, you do the math...and add in puffy winter jackets and hats, a purse over my shoulder, and slippery snowy terrain if you forgot we live in the snow capital of the world! I tried 3 different doors and a woman (who was parked in the handicap spot with no sticker) stared at me just watching me try all 4 doors, all which were locked. I noticed she was looking at me STILL, so I said "Is there a different door?" She cheerfully said "Yes down there" and continued to stare at me. So I walked to the other end of the building and by that point could no longer hold the 62+ pounds of baby jello so I set Sofia down....Fail #2. You would have thought I was pulling her eyelashes out one by one or something. Nice person #2 stared at me, smiled and said, "Don't you have your hands full." If I wasn't carrying 2 kids (one now screaming) I would have.....ahh nevermind.  Next obstacle is the stairs, because their class is in the basement of the building. My arms were burning (who needs a gym) but I made it down the stairs with them and set Sofia down hoping she'd walk down the hallway to the classroom at the end. You can guess what happened there. So thankfully a friend who is in the class carried Mila into the room and another helpful friend took out coats and put them away :)

Sofia is in a stage (oh Dear God please tell me it's just a stage...now that I think about it she's sort of always been like this but it's gotten worse lately.....oh no.....) where she can't be without me for a fraction of a second without freaking the heck out. I'd much rather have this problem than attachment issues that some adoptive families experience....but we need to help figure out a way to help her have a less anxious attachment. I can't even take Mila potty without her losing her head. I can't even walk into another room. I can't even get out of my seat in the car to open her door without her losing it because she can't see me for 1/2 of a second. So of course Mila had to use the potty when we got there, I offered to Sofia to go with us but she refused so I left her in the classroom with the teacher and friends....thankfully Mila was quick and Sofia only screamed for about the last 10 seconds of me being gone. And THAT was just the beginning ;)

They took turns throughout the rest of the class having melt downs or just randomly screaming/growling for the fun of it. Walking from one room to another way tough too because Mila isn't steady over thresholds or in new environments and Sofia was being plain old stubborn and refusing to walk, so that was funny to watch I'm sure. Sofia has a really hard time with transitions and we transitioned 6 times in the hour so each time there was a melt down...once she got going with the new activity, though, and warmed up to the new surrounding, she did a bit better. And then it was time to go and of course she threw a fit! The teacher was really sweet and helpful and kept commenting about how calm I was. Well, ya know, what can you do really when your kids decide to plot to overthrow their mother. Just grin and bear it! 2 against 1, I'd say they won today!

I guess if anything good came out of today, we very successfully debunked the myth (in case any of the parents in the class believed this myth) that kids with Down syndrome are always happy....HA HA HA :)

I remember 3 being the toughest age for Zoya....so with my calculations we have about 1.5 more years of these shennanigans....Lord help me!

All I have left to say is next week I'm bringing back up...we're changing this Mommy and Me Preschool to "Mommy and Daddy and Me and Me." I'm rounding up some battle gear and going back for Round 2....and if we fail again, at least I'm not going down alone!

And because I can't leave a post on a bummer note, here are a few more pictures of my adorable perfect little angels, BEFORE the S**T hit the fan :) (P.S. don't mind the bruise on Sofia's cheek....she had an unfortunate trampoline accident but all is good!)







23 comments:

  1. Aw, sorry the first day went wonky! But, they sure are cute! ;)

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  2. NOW we know your secret for staying so trim ---carrying two babies, purse etc through snow, lol! Sorry about the handicap parking insanity. No one can accuse you of not being patient--how RUDE of that lady to just stare and not offer any assistance whatsoever. Anyway, hope the next time is memorable in all good ways--and that Sofia learns mama isn't going anywhere lol!

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    1. HAHA! It's like working out 24/7 :) We're talking about options for next week...hopefully we'll come up with the best plan for everyone LOL....I just know this last week wasn't IT!

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  3. Wow ! Exactly why I usually choose to stay home or take older siblings with me.

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    1. Yes, me too! Well I don't have older children, but have spent much of the last 3 years HOME. One of my new year's resolutions this year was to get out more, take more risks in hopes that the girls will have more experiences, even when it's hard for me....and that is why in a couple weeks we are going to an indoor water park overnight for a weekend.........and not I'm shaking my head thinking, "what in the world was I thinking?!!" hahahahha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  4. Goodness they look so happy in the chairs....all ready to go! I am glad you kept your sense of humor and persevered on, and a plan of attack for next time. Those parking in the handicapped zone deserved a big expensive ticket! Praying that the girls catch on and love school soon!

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    1. I know, right??? They totally fooled me looking all cute and innocent here!!!! Looking back the entire morning was one unfortunate obstacle after another, and I'm laughing now, but my arms still feel like jello! For a moment yesterday I wondered if I was on some sort of hidden camera show or something!!! I think we must all have moments like that, right?? :)

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  5. Sarah, so pathetic that people saw you struggling carrying the girls and didn't offer you a hand. Next time there are cars parked in handicapped spaces without the proper documentation you should call law enforcement. I am authorized to write tickets, I can't ask what the reason is why they have a sticker but can ask them to prove they have the proper paper documentation to back it up. With Shaun going with you things will be better. Have a good week. Carol

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    1. Carol if I would have had a fraction of an ounce of energy left to deal with that issue, I would have :) LOL, but I was SPENT and just trying to get in the building. If it's a problem again next week I'll mention it to the director and see if we can fix the situation!

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  6. I'm sure you know this in your heart of hearts, but you are the BEST mother. When one of my kids is freaking, or I'm thinking, no I will NOT play kitchen again because it is BORING, I think "my favorite blog mom would do this. And she'd have some thoughtful learning exercise to go with it. I'm so lame." So we all have days like failing-out-of-mommy-and-me-preschool because that's how kids are, but you should go to bed every night knowing that total strangers think you are an amazing, amazing mom. And your girls are so cute :)

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    1. Awww thanks, your comment made me smile! I certainly have days where I feel like an utter failure! I have times too where I feel the same as you! Being a mama to my girls is such a gift because it's a daily reminder that this life is not about ME and that I've chosen to follow the Lord, even when it gets hard....really hard! Believe me, many days I have to pray for grace to get through each moment of the day!

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    2. The days are long, but the years are short, right? I try to remember that every day. Especially the less-than-ideal days.

      So I'm not really a huge weirdo, but I thought of you (since, like, we don't know each other but I'm obsessed with your blog) when I saw this today:

      http://coolmompicks.com/blog/2014/01/30/downs-designs-kids-clothes-down-syndrome/

      Your girls always look so adorable you clearly don't need any assistance on the clothing front, but will there come a time when jeans don't fit them correctly?

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  7. How about Mila to pre-school and Sophia stays home with a sitter? Do they both need pre-school now? Maybe Sophia is just needing time at home? And I know the separation anxiety is a pain but I love to hear about it. :)

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    1. That's actually something we're considering! Both Mila and Sofia will start "real" preschool in the fall, so I had hoped to give them both this opportunity, and there is not another class like this offered so the only way to do that would be to take them both. Shawn's schedule actually gives him the same morning off, but he has to get Zoya to school just before the class starts and it's about a 25 minute drive from where she goes to school....but I'm wondering if it'd just be better to give Sofia some Daddy time on those mornings and I just take Mila. Sofia does need to start having some time away from Mama or else she'll have a really tough time transitioning to preschool in the fall. It's just a balancing act to try and figure out how to best meet everyone's needs!

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  8. I love your sense of humor Sarah....in spite of it all! And I'm sure if you couldn't laugh you would really have lost it....maybe in a meltdown right along WITH Sofia!! These pics are hilarious (besides being SO cute) because Mila DOES look like the perfect little, I'm going to pay attention, look Mama, I'm being good, sitting still, looking oh-so-cooperative sweetie, and Sofia just puts it all out there....little wildfire, happy-go-lucky (as long as you are standing right in front of me, Mama), smiling, joyful, sweetie. Kudos to you for roping *ahem* I meant asking Shawn to join you next week!!! ((((BIG HUGS))))!!!

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    1. Thanks Anne! I always look forward to your comments :) We're still working on a plan for next week, we shall see HAHA!

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  9. On these pictures Mila seem the wise and Sofia the little rascal ( i'm not sure this word is the right in english).

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    1. That's sounds perfectly right in English and spot on! LOL! We call Mila "The Little Professor"

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  10. Oh my gosh Sarah, I'm exhausted just reading what you went through. Bravo! Your girls are adorable though. :-) Mila is looking so grown and such a little lady. Love it. I love Sofia's hands and how she uses them to express herself.

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  11. Great story...sorry, for you, it was not fiction. Mila looks so grown up sitting in the chair! I was happy to see, in Sofia's final picture, that her knees do actually bend. I hope you can appreciate that many people find your beautiful family very entertaining.

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    1. That made me laugh out loud! Indeed they DO bend! Someone asked me once if we thought she was having small seizures because her body contracts like that, but it's always only when she's really excited HAHAH :) No seizure worries here! A new definition to the word "joy" I guess :) She knows how to feel it with her whole body! I'm glad you find us entertaining! I think we probably entertain more people than we realize, accidentally HAHA :)

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  12. Hey, I just realized that Mila isn't pointing her chin up in these pictures! Does that mean her glasses are working? Pretty awesome stuff happening!

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