Since I haven't been good with taking pictures lately, I thought I would just post a general update of the Collevechio clan!
Things have been very busy around here, per usual (and I don't think they will slow down anytime soon!). Scott is traveling a lot this month for work (he was gone Tues-Thurs and left again today until Sunday) but so far the solo parenting has been going well. As I put the boys down to bed the other night, I realized how "easy" I have it in this phase--the boys LOVE to play together, and occupy themselves for a good part of the day. Aside from the completely normal breakdowns here and there, life is good. Three hour naps (on the days we aren't at school), a 15 minute bedtime routine (or shorter or longer depending on how much energy I have), excellent eaters, and great health--what more could I ask for? I really need to savor these next few months before our sweet baby girl arrives...I know the boat will rock quite a bit!
Charlie is really growing into his own. His personality is developing more and more. Still insanely shy and calm in public (wildman at home when he has Sam as his audience), and oh-so-cautious. He won't do anything that he MIGHT get hurt--hard to believe he came from me, as I recall many times climbing trees so high I needed help getting down, or taking off on adventures in our wooded backyard without a thought about danger. He is making lots of friends at school, and loves going. While he doesn't speak much French at school (per his teachers), he tells me French words all the time, or asks me if I know the French word for something. I had to chuckle when the teacher told me, at the parent-teacher conference, that they have been working on "un, deux, trois" (one, two, three) and will hopefully learn up to 10 by the end of the school year....Charlie counts to 10 in French without hesitation (and usually makes it to 15 or so before slipping up). Of course he has never done it for them! I notice that he does much better one-on-one with other kids; when we're in a group, he plays with Sam or by himself. Easily overwhelmed!!! But so tender-hearted...and developing quite the bossy attitude with Sam (wonder where he got that from?? :)), I love hearing them play together in the playroom, with Charlie directing EVERY move that Sam makes. Charlie has also been doing swim lessons at Rivi; we lucked out and he's the only child signed up for his timeslot (paying for group lessons but getting a private one!) I see so much improvement each week and can't wait for the time he can actually swim by himself.
Sam is just itching to grow up! He's now fully potty trained (I'm starting to think, the earlier, the better...as he's doing better at 20 months than Charlie did at 26 months) Even though I'm fully expecting some regressions at some point, he goes many days accident-free. The days he does have an accident, he catches himself halfway and comes to find me so I can take him to the bathroom. He speaks in short sentences, not always the correct order but often repeating phrases he hears from Charlie. He is able to tell us exactly what he wants and needs, which will really help when the baby arrives! He also is learning a lot of his letters (can sing over half of the alphabet, skipping the E for some reason, I think because "D" sounds like you're saying E too) and loves to find "S for Sammy!!!" when we're out and about. Charlie has really be instrumental in teaching him, as the poor second child is often neglected by his parents :) I can often hear them downstairs playing with the magnets, Charlie telling Sam the names of all the letters. Sam is very agile (likes to hang like a monkey), sporty, and keeping true to his newborn tendencies, very loud. He's often singing to himself.
Both boys have crazy imaginations. Currently, they love to play with their friends Eva (Charlie) and Simone (Sam) even when we're at home...as in, pretend people. They actually talk to empty space, pretending it's their friend--I love it.
With school on Monday/Wednesday (all 3 of us) and Friday half days for Charlie, and MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) every other Tuesday, I find we have little time to just "hang" and I'm looking forward to a few of the breaks we have coming up...and taking a break from teaching once our baby arrives!
I love hearing the boys talk about our upcoming baby. Charlie asks questions all the time--the best being, "Mom, I think I just felt her foot or hand. How in the world do you think she will get out of your belly?". Both boys helped take down our guest bed (sorry friends, you'll have to sleep on a blow up!) and re-building the crib. The room is prepped to be painted...but since we have to do the ceiling, closets, walls and trim, it might be awhile until we have finished pictures! I'm 31 weeks today and time is just flying.
Phew. Just writing that post took way too much energy. Today I'm thankful that my parents invited the boys and I out to dinner at Highland so I don't have to cook! And hoping Scott has a safe trip to New York City, and enjoys a much deserved fun weekend.
