School/Gymnastics etc

Hi all,

we've been reminded by many a folk that we have not posted much lately. Sorry. Life is getting into a routine. Ellis started a pre-k program at the daycare at the university where Amy and I work. He has been loving it. There is a hedgehog, fish, tadpoles and insect carcasses in the class. But more importantly there are trains to play with. Ellis loves both of his teachers and seems to be getting along well with all of his fellow Supernovae(class nickname, goodluck teaching them to spell it). His teachers stress a lot of independence and the kids are encouraged to do many things on their own. Which includes pouring their own beverages and serving themselves their lunch and snack. I am glad I am not there to witness that chaos. But they all learn a whole lot. Zoe went to the same daycare for a year before she started kindergarten and we were amazed at what she was able to learn by the time she left. Pre-school teachers are amazing. Recently they were learning about planets and the universe. Now they are learning about rocks. Cool. The had a balance scale set up in the classroom this morning when we dropped him off. Comparing the weights of different rocks. Now I know many of you are thinking what I am. 3-4yr olds in a room with lots of rocks. Who's gonna lose the eye. Well no one from the daycare has called us yet so I assume he has neither been hit nor has he hit someone else. Zoe and Ellis are working out their relationship with each other and it is coming along well. I'm still waiting for the knockdown drag out fight that is inevitable with siblings. Zo i think is still figuring out how to answer some of his litany of questions without feeling like she has to answer all of them. She's getting a little taste of what parenting is like. Overall they are getting along great. Last week Ellis started gymnastics at the same gym as Zoe. He really likes it and has asked about it everyday since the first class. Not sure if he actually did anything in the class that was what he was supposed to do but he did enjoy running on the trampoline and on all the mats. What kid wouldn't? Zo was trying to teach him a forward roll yesterday. He's got a long way to go. Foods he likes : mangos, yogurt, bananas, grapes, pizza, meat, grits, oatmeal, cereal, spaghetti and meatballs, nachos, lemonade(tries to have it for breakfast every morning). Foods he doesn't like : curry (this one hurts, maybe he will change later), granola. The things he doesn't like list is much shorter. We're working on that with him. We think he is very eager to please so he is more likely to say he likes something than not to make us happy. We're actually happy when he tells us he doesn't like something but I guess he wants to make sure we like him. Its hard to imagine he's been with us for almost 6 weeks. Everyone is still figuring out our relationships with each other and as a collective. We just keep reminding ourselves that its a short time (well at least Amy and I do and we remind Zo). Ellis still has a long way to go before he can feel like this is the last stop. It will be something that we can't do for him directly but something that he will come to on his own. He's never had stability so to say this is forever is not something he can understand at 4. We see him getting more comfortable each day. Hence why we are glad when he says "no" to something or tells us that he doesn't like something. Its weird to think of defiance or resistance as a good sign but for him it will be. It will let us know that he trusts us enough to not worry about getting us upset or angry. But from all of our trainings and work with our caseworker this is what has to happen and there is no timeline on when it just starts feeling "normal" for everyone. We will all get their on our own and together at different times. I know it sounds like a calculus question from high school : Four trains are leaving from different parts of the country all headed to the same city traveling at different speeds, leaving at different times, making different stops and potentially crossing tracks along the way with. One train leaves San Francisco on a Thursday traveling 100mph, another leave Seattle on Sunday traveling at 120kph(yes I know its metric do the damn conversion yourself), the third leaves Miami on Tuesday traveling 300mph and the last leaves Boston on Fridaytraveling at 176kph. All four trains are heading to Calgary, Alberta. At some point all four trains will be on the same line but heading in different directions. When will all four trains arrive in Calgary. Enjoy!

Well here are some pics that Amy promised. Zoe did some really great work at the fashion camp. Pretty soon we won't have to buy them clothes anymore but I am not sure if Ellis is up to the fashion statements he may be making at daycare. If you're wondering what he's doing in one of the pics its "dancing". Needs a little work. This is where big sis comes in to help. She's trying. I know many of you are gonna be shocked with Zoe's haricut but I love it. I think the long braids needed to go. Time for an updated look. Enjoy. Oh and my mom will be happy to know that one of her knitted caps made it into the fashion show. Zoe's friend Ardis is wearing it in the group pic.

Not much to report

Well, we haven't blogged in a few days because there hasn't been much to report.  We're all just settling in - everyday is a little different than the last, but basically the same.  Some days we all seem to gel and other days it's clear that we're still trying to figure each other out.  For the most part, Zo has been a really great and patient older sister, but it seems that the honeymoon might be ending for her.  

Here's a great Zo update, though - she went to Fashion Camp last week.  Ok, I know that sounds really girly, but it was actually great.  Rather than being 'America's Next Top Model' focused - it was much more 'Project Runway'.  Sadly, there was no Tim Gunn, though (and luckily, no snarkiness).  They really allowed the kids to dig in and try out their skills.  Zo designed pieces, fit herself, cut the fabric, pinned it, and handed it off to someone else to sew.  I was so impressed by all the kids' work at the final fashion show on Friday!  Zo made a fabulous shirt and a cool dress.  Oh, and one more update about her - some of you may not be happy about this, but she got her hair cut.  Really cut.  You'll see it when Gabby uploads pics from the fashion show.  She loves it, but even though I wanted her to do it, I had to adjust to seeing her without all that hair.

The news on Ellis is that he has visited his new 'school' (UT Child Development Center) twice now and loves it.  Today when we took him, he jumped right in to start playing and didn't even look over at us.  We're going to drop him off for a couple of hours on Friday to stay on his own and then his first day is Monday.  We'll be sure to let everyone know how that goes!

Amy's camel

I want a pet camel!

Ok so clearly there's no shock that I, Amy, am writing this entry.  Who else would be saying they want a pet camel?  

Sunday we all went to one of those drive-thru safari places to hang out with animals.  We've been to one before where you drive your own car through, but at this place, all the visitors ride on a flat bed pulled by a tractor.  This was much better because it brings you up close and personal with the all of the slobbery furry babies.  We knew Zo would love it, but we weren't quite sure about Ellis.  He does seem to love animals, but would he love a slobbery bison wrapping its tongue around his hand?  Well, turns out, yes, he did love it!  I highly recommend this place!  You'll leave filthy, but you will have the opportunity to feed/pet bison, highland cattle about a dozen different species of hooved animals, emus, ostrich...and yes, camels.  I fell in love with this sweet camel named Goober! (I hear that's what Gabby's big sister used to call him! HA!)

One more thing to tell you.  Zoe asked to chat with me before bed on Saturday night - she wanted to talk about our feelings (what?).  She said, "I'm not sure if you noticed, Mom, but Ellis and I were fighting some in the backseat today, but we were also having a lot of fun together.  I think that means we really feel like family now!"

Last thing (really) - that kid flushes the toilet like 5 times in a row!  What is up with that?!

Ok - I'll get Gabby to load the animal pics soon.

Thanks for reading!

Ellis' First Time Swimming

Yesterday was Ellis' first time in the pool. Zoe and I took him yesterday afternoon. I could tell from the way he answered my questions about swimming that he had never been in a real pool before. He was eyeing the pool suspiciously when we walked in and he saw people  in it. I could tell by the look on his face that he was pretty sure he was not going to be getting into that. Zoe did a cannonball immediately into the deep end as soon as she got her goggles on. Seeing her in the pool didn't help. So we walked over to the shallow end and we got in together. Ever notice how baby gorillas can hold on to their parents without falling off even when the parent is climbing a tree? Well he had quite a grip on me. But seemed ok. We walked to the deep end (all 4ft 5inches of it) and i put him on the wall to see if he could climb out. With a little help he made it out. I'll have to put a chin-up bar on the door in his room so he can work on his upper body strength. He's gotta be able to keep up with his sister! Coaxing him back into the water was not easy but he got back in. We walked back to the shallow end and i had him let go of me. It was only to his chest. he was not pleased. But he stood there. I kept holding him at bay as he tried to clamber back onto me. But i reassured him that it was ok. He struggled through it but got a little comfortable. As he kept inching towards me i would back away and then had him walking up and down the shallow end. He was ok until he got a little to excited and went under. he didn't know what to do. He just kinda hung in the water. I gave him a sec to see if he knew what to do. Not a clue. So i scooped him up and got him up. He was freakin! But i wouldn't let him get out of the water. Zoe and I talked him through it. All the other kids in the pool were staring. jeez. Like none of them were ever in the pool freakin out before. But it took a while but he eventually calmed down. Through many tears and pleas to go home. but then he was alright. We continued to walk around in the shallow end. he would watch me pick up Zoe and throw her. He firmly told me that he did not want me to do that to him. Funny. Once while i was throwing Zoe he climbed out the shallow end on his own. This is pretty significant. From one of Zoe's swim classes the instructor said their ability to climb out was more important than swimming for young ones. "New rule", i said, "if you can climb out on your own you must climb in on your own."  he did not like this. After about 10 minutes of crying, coaxing and staring (by other kids) he climbed into the pool on his own. This was huge! After that he was totally past it. He spent the next hour climbing into the shallow end on one side and walking all the way over to the ladder and climbing out and then walking along the edge to climb back in. When he got into the pool it then became a game of racing to the ladder with him, Zoe and myself. Usually it was zoe jumping on my back to sink me to make sure her little brother would win. Already ganging up on me! I guess that's to be expected. Despite their obvious cheating it was a good day in the pool. Today we walked passed the pool and he asked to go swimming! So it will be swim lessons for him soon!

Pics

The Story behind the URL

Amy has already informed me that the URL has nothing to do with Ellis so before there are a ton of questions I figured I would answer it. Look I panicked. I have never blogged before so I was taken off guard by being asked to create an URL. The pressure got to me. So all I came up with was the other most pressing thing on my mind. Texas Summer Heat. I feel that the state motto needs to be changed to " Texas, a little bit closer to the sun than everyone else". So the story behind the URL is that a teacher from Zoe's school is in Uganda right now helping build libraries. She spent the year fundraising. Since she has been there she has sent a few emails to the PTA listserve. Each of the emails has referenced that it is nicer in Uganda than it is in Texas. And I quote, "Its hot here but not as hot as Texas". Are you kidding me! I have to go to central Africa to escape Texas in the summer time? Well for at least 2-3 weeks now it has been solidly in the 100s. Heat index of 105-112 a couple of times. And the summer in Texas does not end until the middle of October. Really. I mean it. So for those of you sweltering in 80 degree weather in the north please don't talk to me about it. So long from the closest spot on the planet to the sun. peace. can someone get me some ice?

The reality of two

I know, all of you parents out there of two (+) children will laugh at us, but this is all new territory.  

Ellis (I'm still getting used to it) was dropped off at our house by his caseworker Friday afternoon at 12:30.  He walked in as if he'd lived here his entire life! :)  We immediately unpacked his things and he began playing with his big sister.  Yesterday kind of feels like a blur, but it went very well. We played and laughed a lot and had pizza for dinner.  Gabby's favorite moment of the day was when we sat down to watch Clifford (Ellis' favorite show) and all of a sudden it dawned on him that he had his own 'clifford' the big (grey) dog!  At this point, he hadn't met Franklin yet so he asked us to bring him inside.  We were a little nervous about that first meeting, but with Clifford's help, it went very smoothly.  Within the first few minutes, he was kissing Franklin on the nose!  He just kept saying, "This is my dog?"  So sweet!  

 

The only tough time of day was bedtime.  I think that's when the reality of the situation hit home for him and he cried quite a bit.  Gabby soothed him as best he could and after about 20 minutes, he drifted off to sleep.  

Zoe has been a great big sister!  She is showing him the ropes and keeping him laughing.  Sometimes she needs breaks, but we've been so proud of how well she's adjusting to all of this.  Last night after Ellis went to bed, she got to stay up an extra hour with Gabby and I.  She asked us if we could have a talk about all of our feelings from the day.  Overall, she said she's happy he's here.  She just has to get used to all of the questions and constant requests to play. :)  As active as she is, I can't imagine that's going to be much of a problem, though.

To our GREAT surprise, Ellis slept later than Zoe this morning - he slept for almost 13 hours - woohoo!  Oh - and he's also a good eater - can't ask for much more than that.

Presenting....

Ellis!

Just to update you, we discussed our little boy's name after spending a day with him.  We decided that if we were going to change his name, it needed to happen quickly so he (and we) could get used to it.  This morning, before he woke up, we ran through some of the initial names we thought of and decided none of them fit him well.  We were looking through a book about jazz musicians Zoe has, and it hit us - Ellis.  He really is an Ellis.  Wait until you meet him, I think you'll agree!

Today the 4th Joins us

Today is July the 3rd but for us the number 4 is important. Today in a few short hours we will welcome the 4th member of our family into our home. Amy and I have been talking about adoption for years and finally took the steps this past winter to begin the process. We decided to go through the foster care system here in Texas and adopt domestically. After months of classes, training, meetings, viewing of profiles, filling out forms and passing through every possible emotion the day has finally arrived. We want to thank our family and friends for all of their support and kindness and we look forward to each of you meeting him in the near future. But until then please feel free to stop by this blog to catch up on our newest family member. Just some brief details. He is 4. Just turned 4 actually. And is obviously from Texas. To preempt the millions of questions. We won't be giving specifics on various parts of his life. One, because we legally can't. 2, we want him to have a fresh start like Zoe. Today is his birth and he is new to all of us. Zoe is excited about having a little brother though she may not realize how much work little brothers are. As a little brother I know! Amy and I are both thrilled and scared out of our wits at this change but we know it will be great. Oh his name! Kamiyon. We may have a name change but that is to be decided upon as a family. We will be taking the next three weeks off of work to bond as a family and get to know each other. peace and love to you all.