GOAL!!!!!

Last week (on the 6th) Preston started soccer.  He's not playing on a team, rather attending an academy that meets three days a week for two straight months.  At this age, they focus on individual skill development through ball mastery. The coaches combine drills, competitive 1v1 games and fun small-sided games that concentrate on touches on the ball.  While it sounds like work and training, it's proving to be a ton of fun and Preston loves going. 

I had a hard time deciding what pics to post... John got so many great shots throughout the session. And, looking at Preston's face makes me so happy. As he is working through the drills, he is grinning ear-to-ear... so entirely full of joy... I just adore that about him!

Because Gavin had fallen asleep in the car and Gracie was too hot in the 90+ degree heat, only John stayed (and took fabulous pics).  When I came back to pick them up, I heard Preston before I found him in the sea of little boys in the various groups on the field.  He was cheering on the other kids in his group... so supportive, so joyful, so animated and so very loud!  Makes me smile just thinking about it.



Preston in action during one of his 1v1 scrimmages

Running back to the boys in his group for a big hug after he scored!

I love that his tongue is out... reminds me of my brother!!  His tongue was always out when he played soccer!

Can't believe John got this shot!



Or this one!

This cracks me up... blurry because it was hard for John to focus that fast! 
So entirely Preston!

Hello Kindergarten!

On Tuesday, July 31st, Preston started Kindergarten.   KINDERGARTEN!!! 
(Wasn't he just Gavin's age?!)

The day before school started, I took him to his "Sneak a Peek" at school. It was an opportunity to meet his teacher, get familiar with the classroom and meet some of his classmates. The week before school started, his teacher sent out a letter and a postcard to each of the students.    Preston LOVES getting mail, so she was instantly "awesome" in his book!  Then, on the "sneak a peek" day, she had a classroom treasure hunt and the kids received a "Cool Kindergartner" band, a book from the "David Goes to School" series and a few special treasures to remind them of important things about themselves and their experiences.  She also had a few things to make the parents comfortable and prepared. There were so many thoughtful little touches - - I could tell we would like her right away!

His morning consisted of a healthy breakfast on the special red plate. (We received our red plate from our dear, former neighbors, Paloma and Julio. At the time, I didn't know about the "red plate" tradition. I loved the idea so much we decided to implement it in our family. The fact that our plate is from people who are special to us makes the tradition even more fun.)

Nana and Papa drove two hours to be at our house to send him off on his first day. They were also here to help with Gracie and Gavin so that John and I could take Preston together. Later, they watched Gavin while John and I took Gracie for a classroom visit and meeting. (She can't actually start school until we establish nursing... which is another story.)

During the obligatory "first day" photos, John made him laugh. Love these...

And then Nana took one of our special boy with both his parents...

And then we were off to school. His teacher met us at the door and let the late bird kids know where their lunches, snacks and "completed work" belong. Then, with a quick kiss and hug goodbye, our boy confidently walked into the classroom, put his backpack into his cubby and walked over to his seat at the table and sat down. Just like that.

He had a great day and came home with more treasures that helped spark so many conversations about his first day.

The rest of the week went off without too many hitches... for him, anyway!  I, on the other hand, had some "heart-crunchy" moments. (Thanks for that term, Hannah!  It's a perfect description!)

On Wednesday, I walked in with Preston (pushing Gavin and Gracie in our double stroller) and waited in line on the playground.   He tried striking up a conversation with a boy in his class - - asked if he wanted to play at recess, got shot down completely and was told by the little boy that he was going to play with his friend in a different class. Preston just stood there, taking in the conversation and looking deflated.  I stood there, blinking back the tears that were stinging my eyes behind my sunglasses.  Preston looked at me with a bummed expression and I gently said that maybe his classmate could introduce him to the other friend if he asked.  He just shook his head.  I went home and cried, feeling so sad that my boy was experiencing the pains of growing up (knowing full-well that these lessons are necessary, but still not happy that he could have been hurt by the rejection). As the kids walked in their line to class and the parents filed out of the gate, I heard him kindly remind that same little boy that they're supposed to walk on the line, not next to it. I was proud of my little leader and the fact that he wasn't phased by the conversation that had occurred just minutes before.

On Thursday, he asked if he could walk in through the gate to his classroom by himself. I let him... because I know how independent he is and wants to be, but stayed where I could watch him go in... proud and sad at the same time.  Again, heart-crunchy.  (I have not let him walk to his room alone again... even though he keeps asking.  I know he is capable, but I am not ready!)  When I picked him up Thursday, he said it had been, "The best day ever!"  I asked what made it so great and he said that he played with the very same boy from Wednesday morning's encounter (and his friend from another class).  So cute.  And I was worried about what, exactly?!

We have now completed the second week of kindergarten and, by all accounts, everything is going great!  He was "Coyote of the Day" on Monday and on Wednesday, I attended his "Back to School Night" and got a good picture of the class structure and how his teacher runs things.   She showed this video...  which served to solidify all the things I was already liking about her.

As many who know him well predicted, Preston has adjusted to our move and to kindergarten very well.  I am so excited to see how he grows and changes as he begins his elementary school career... though I am in no rush and still wish life had a "pause" button!

Gavin (Month 5)

Dear Sweet Gav-man,

I blink and another month goes by.  You continue to be a happy and pretty easy going little guy... as long as you're busy and not hungry!  You definitely like being out and about and I wear you a lot so that you don't miss what's happening around you!  If you're not smiling, you look very serious. I think you get that from daddy. And, in your seriousness, you are quite observant - - always watching what's going on around you, taking everything in. You continue to change constantly and grow like a weed!

Your fifth month was full of firsts...

On June 18th, you played in your new exersaucer/bouncer and had a blast.
 

You now spend time in there several times a day.  And, several times a day I am wiping the entire thing down from the tremendous amount of drool that endlessly drips from your sweet (wet!) mouth. 

On June 19th (mommy and daddy's 13th anniversary and the one-year anniversary of when we found out I was pregnant with you), you found your feet for the first time. 

Sadly, on that same evening, you got your first fever. It was a doozy... enough so that I called the doctor in a slight panic like a brand new mommy. We have no idea what caused the fever, but it was gone the next day with no other symptoms.  As for your feet, well, they are often found in your mouth... even when you're nursing, you're holding onto a foot!  And, often, have to wrestle your toes from your mouth so that I can change your diaper!

See?!  These are from your monthly "green-chair" photo session... you couldn't keep your tootsies out of your mouth!

On June 26th, you spent the day hanging with Gracie, Daddy and Mommy at the hospital while your sissy had a few procedures.  She, as usual, was quite the trooper and you proved to be a patient brother.  Later that day, you had your very first wagon ride while Gracie recovered inside.  You loved it.  You LOVE being outside.

I love all these moments I capture between you and your big brother.  You spend a ton of time with Gracie, too, but often I am keeping your quick, constantly-kicking feet from nailing her in the face, or your equally quick, constantly-grabbing hands from getting a handful of her hair, or keeping her from loving you so well (she squeezes too hard!) that I rarely have the chance actually grab the camera and capture them!

You also met your Papa for the first time (since he couldn't come out with Nana when you were born).
Just like Gracie and Preston, you are smitten.

You had another quick visit with your Grampa John.

You, Gracie and Preston indulged me with a mini photo shoot in front of our old house.
I love this picture of the three of you.

You had your first go at kicking a soccer ball!
Since your feet never stop moving, you're a natural and actually kicked the ball right on cue!

You also sat in a swing at the park for the first time, stuck your feet in the spa at our hotel and (this was the big one) we moved! You handled the chaos of our last few weeks in the old house well and weathered the journey to our new home beautifully - - but for the last 75 miles when you cried non-stop until we pulled in front of the house.   Thankfully, you don't detest the car as much as you did after our road-trip in May!

You are, "Boo-dee," a shining light in the midst of our chaos and the stress of the move. You happily greet me with a giddy smile and kicking feet in the mornings and remind me to start my own day with a smile. In fact, you do that for each of us, and we are all very grateful and very much in love with our littlest Swann!

All my love,

Mama
(Mahhhhh-muh)

The Graduate

June 23rd was all about this guy...
(and all of his sweet preschool friends, of course!)

(For the record... I couldn't scan our copy of this pic because it's already packed for the move as is the scanner!
I will post a proper, non-watermarked copy later!)

My three men hanging before the festivities began

It was a BIG night... quite a production! There were performances by each class, a bible study performance and a performance both signed and sung (to "Colors of the Rainbow" from Signing Time... very familiar in this house!). The kids were all adorable!  Preston, who definitely does not have stage fright, had so much fun during each performance!

Waiting for all his friends to get on stage and the music to get queued up.

Getting ready to sign and sing "Colors of the Rainbow"

The only bummer was that I wasn't properly prepared (a total "blonde" moment!) to video during the first song and missed getting that footage which would have included him singing, playing a drum and, like the little leader he often is, kindly reminding his friend to pick up his drum!  Here is the performance I managed to capture...

Then there was dinner, a full graduation ceremony and dancing! (See... I said it was a BIG night!) During the ceremony, Preston's teacher said something about each student as they walked up to the stage. Her words (paraphrased) about Preston, "You sure know how to have a good time, but also know when it's time to get serious... that's rare in a little boy." In the copy of Curious You - On Your Way that each graduate received, she wrote, "Preston, You are such a fun loving, free spirit.  I love that about you!  I'm really going to miss you.  I know you will do great in kinder!"  All such nice things from his teacher of the last 12 months.

Our happy and proud boy!

Preston with his buddy, Butch

Preston... surrounded by girls... uh-oh!  (l-r: Clara, Preston, Lola and Natalie)
(Snagged from fb... it was hard to get the kids together for pics after the ceremony because they were all so excited to start dancing and playing with the balloons!)

With his best buddy, Jonah

We were lucky to capture this quick family shot because all Preston wanted to do was go be with his friends!
(Gracie did not attend and was much happier playing at the park and at home with Pearl!)

Having a good time "dancing" i.e. running around and playing with balloons!

We are so grateful to the directors, teachers and support staff for the guidance, love, education and nurturing they provided our boy every week for the two and a half years.  He has blossomed on every level... I will miss our preschool family, his friends and the friends I've made through him.  Preston is (granted, I am biased) a well-adjusted, confident, intelligent, charismatic and sweet boy who is definitely ready for kindergarten.   Me... well, I am not so ready!

Family Resemblance (part 1) ~ Brothers

Inspired by the obvious resemblance between my boys, but even more so by my mom's statement to me when Gavin was first born and we were talking about who he resembled.
"I think babies change in their look day to day for a while so that we remember how many people from all different sides of the family are involved in the existence of that baby."  I think she is right.  And, I am fascinated by how many people I see in the Gav-man. 

For now, I will start with the obvious...
They definitely look like brothers, though there are differences, of course - - the most evident being that Gavin has a lot more hair than Preston did!

My boys... each around five days old
(They are held at different angles, so Gavin's mouth is being pulled down more by the weight of his little cheeks!)

Preston and Gracie on the left in May 2007
Gracie and Gavin on the right in February 2012

On the top... Preston
On the bottom... Gavin

P on the left; G on the right
(Both are roughly 3.5 months)
They don't look that much alike here (at least not to me), but I thought this was fun since they are in the same outfit and sitting in the same chair!

This is a good comparison for how they look different (aside from the hair and Preston's eczema!).
Gavin's face isn't as round.  Preston's eyes aren't as round.
Definitely look like brothers, regardless! 

As Gavin's getting older, he is taking on his own look - - as he should, he is his own person. But there is no mistaking that he is Preston's brother... or John's son, or mine, or my grandfather's great-grandson... you get the idea! Stay tuned. I think this will be fun!

Gavin (Month 4)

Oh sweet BIG boy!
You looked right at me and leaned forward as if to say, "Hey, Mama... I don't think I want to sit still for pictures!"

Thanks for indulging me, sweet little man.  That's more like it! 

You look so HUGE to me now.  Sigh.

Dear Sweet Gav-man,
You are four months old.  What?!

You are a happy little guy (though you're still not lovin' the car much). 

You continue to be easy going (though daddy might beg to differ, but that's only when you're hungry and he can't provide you what you want). 

You have become a bottle snob.  You won't even take breast milk from a bottle now.  We must work on this as it is unacceptable!  (That being said, I love that you and I have accomplished this great thing by being successful at breastfeeding.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.)

Your faux-hawk has gotten really long, yet the sides of your hair have fallen out and the new hair is very blonde.   If you were a middle-aged man, you'd be considered a guy with a comb-over, but on you, well, it's just too cute!

Little bits of your 4-month-ness that I want to remember forever

You love to play and you giggle a lot.  One of your favorite things with me is to fly... you fly through the house and you love to lay on my knees while I make airplane noises and you "soar" around.  (This was also a favorite of Preston's well past the age of two.  Just wait, Gavin, the rides get crazier the bigger you get.  I am sure you'll love it!

You love bouncing, you kick your legs like crazy when you watch your dog run and play outside.

You easily grab at toys and put them in your mouth.
Everything goes in your mouth and lots of drool comes out.  Lots.

You love being "worn" in the Baby Bjorn or the Moby Wrap... facing out, of course, so you don't miss anything.  You thoroughly enjoy dancing when you're in there. I repeatedly say "dance with me" and we groove.  You crack up.  And, if you dance with Preston you really love it!  The other night the whole family danced with you and you couldn't stop giggling.

You continue to be a great night sleeper and take one solid nap during the day.  The only way to get a good second nap out of you is if you get in the car and scream yourself to sleep!  Otherwise, I might get 45 minutes from you in the afternoon (and that's adding up cat naps).  It's okay, though, I am super grateful for your solid nights!

This was taken last night just after you fell asleep. 
I adore that you are cuddling the giraffe.  It was Preston's first Valentine gift from Nana and he is happy to share it with you - - and quick to remind you that it was his first!
I take it away once you are asleep for safety.  Tonight, you drifted off while clutching him again.  So sweet.

You are a total flirt and will smile at anyone who smiles at you or engages you in conversation.

You have started squealing with delight and you get super mad (and vocal) when you can't reach a toy or if you drop it.  You already seem to understand the concept of "object permanence" for when you're in the Bumbo and you drop a toy, you lean over and look for it.

Prime examples of the faces that you make when you are less than thrilled.
Even though I don't like it when you're sad, I love these faces!

You turn toward our voices when we say your name.  You look around when Daddy holds you and asks, "Where's mama?"  And you absolutely, positively, adore your sister and brother.

Gracie wanted in on the action when we were taking your pictures.  She scooted over, eyed your toy, stole it, then decided she was far more interested in playing with your toes. 
I love the mildly bewildered expression on your face when she grabbed your toy.  The whole interaction reminded me so much of what she used to do with Preston.  She loves your feet just as much as she loved his!  And, she chuckles at you the same way she did with him.  You have no idea how happy this makes me.

You love when we read together.  You listen intently and look at the pictures with such focus. 

This was taken a couple of weeks ago (coincidentally wearing the same shirt as in your 4 month pics!) while Preston read one of your crinkly books to you.  I adore everything about how you look... your little hands clasped and your sweet face concentrating so hard.

You even loved story time when I was pregnant.  I'd read to Preston and Gracie and you'd get really active.  I assume you liked the cadence of me reading.  (Especially when compared to me sternly and repeatedly telling Preston to brush his teeth!  Ha!)

The other night you sat still for an entire reading of "Horton Hatches the Egg."  That's a long book.  Pretty cool, Gav, I hope this continues forever.

You were popular on facebook with your lesson on "How to smile with your whole entire face!"
I just love this of you... you were looking at Preston doing something goofy. 

You grew a birthmark.
See it?  It's really light in this picture, but this is the first one I took after I noticed it was not, in fact, something that needed to be washed off!  It's in the middle of your forehead, a bit darker now... and so cute.  :)

You got much better at tummy time...

And are now so close to pushing up onto your elbows.

You don't yet roll over completely on your own on a regular basis, but are so close. 

The "fluke" rollovers from 2 3/4 months were just that... flukes.

You still manage to scoot when rolling side to side (and when you kick your legs real hard) as, the other day, I put you in the middle of your activity mat and within 15 minutes, you were complete off of it!

This footage was taken on May 30th, just a few days after you started blowing raspberries.  This was the first "reciprocal raspberry conversation" you ever had.  Daddy and I were floored that you were trying to copy him.  (The sound is low, so you have to listen carefully!)  Now, just two weeks later, you're even better at it!

You are deliciously sweet and snuggly. I love watching you grow and change (though not how fast it's happening) and adore seeing you light up when you see your sister, brother and daddy. And, every time you look at me and grin just because, I truly melt. I could stare into your soulful blue eyes all day, sweet baby boy.

I love you so much,
Mommy

** At your 4 month check-up, you weighed in at 14 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 25 1/4 inches. **