I am trying to remember and record some of the things Connor says these days, especially in reference to Declan.
I think I have mentioned it, but we are so proud of the little boy & big brother that he has become. Prior to Declan's arrival, I thought Connor would handle the change well because he has wanted a sibling for so long. With that in mind, I was also a little bit concerned about how he would handle the fact that this new sibling would require so much of my time and attention. A bit to my surprise, he has been so patient and understanding. There are many times he asks me for something or to help him with a task while I'm feeding D. I simply tell him what I'm doing and he says, "let me know when he is done...about how long?" Regardless what my response is, he takes it like a champ and waits patiently.
The other day in the car, Declan was fussing. I think he spit his pacifier out, or I was pushing him too far passed his eating time...I don't remember. Anyway, Connor leaned over in the car and said, "Don't worry 'little D', your big brother is right here. We will be home in just a few minutes." Melt.
This morning, Declan decided to be awake for a while after he ate at 7:00, so we came out into the living room, turned on the fire and I got him nestled into the "bouncy" seat (it doesn't bounce but vibrates and plays music). Around 8:00 he decided he wanted to go back to bed (at least that is what I decided after he fussed a bit and whenever I picked him up he closed his eyes). Connor woke up within 5 minutes and came out. He snuggled with me for a bit and I told him, "I know you are big now, but you will always be my 'baby'." His response: "Mom, be-nember, I'm the big brother now, now the baby." He'll understand eventually.
C is now going to Pre-K at the YMCA 3 days per week since we did not enroll him in the preschool program within the public schools (I just couldn't do 2 hours a day for 3 days a week...I would get nothing done and dragging D out in the freezing cold so often is not my idea of a good time). He went 2 days per week last year and then just dropped down to 1 day a week through the summer until 2 weeks ago. I had a conference with his teacher, Ms. Mary on Thursday. Although he hasn't been in her room for very long (only since he turned 4 and only for 2 weeks more frequently) she is pleased with his progress and said that his "sweetness" is a "breath of fresh air". Apparently she has a few "physical....aka 'violent'" boys and C distances himself and doesn't partake...proud mom. She has witnessed a noticeable increase in his interest in learning in the past few weeks and expects him to be more than ready for kindergarden next year. He will be evaluated for Kindergarden vs. D-K (developmental kindergarden) in April of 2013. It is still our decision whether to "red-shirt" him or send him since the cutoff date in Michigan is now November 1st. That magic cutoff date is moving up one month per year over the next few years until it is September 1st, I believe. It is about time they get in sync with the rest of the country (my perception...I don't really know what the whole country does). Both D-K and kindergarden are all day, every day, so I'm glad that Connor will already be used to being at "school" for an entire day. This year is the first year of all-day for both programs and apparently that has been the biggest adjustment for most kiddos in the program. The change was implemented for funding purposes.
At this point, I think we are leaning toward sending C to regular kindergarden next year. I feel like there are more options with this course. I personally think he is academically, socially, and physically ready for kindergarden even though he would be one of the younger kids for sure (but likely not the youngest). If he does well at the end of the year, then great...on to first grade. If not, then he could always do kindergarden again and he would be in the same place he would be if he'd done DK. With DK, the only step forward is regular kindergarden. Since C already plays with primarily older kids, it is hard to even imagine him being 2 whole years behind some of his buddies. Whatever...we'll see...he is certainly excited about the possibilities and is anxious to go to Ms. Mary's class so he can learn everything he needs to know so he can go to kindergarden next year. :)
He did get to do something for the first time this week....ride a school bus. Although Connor doesn't normally go to school on Wednesdays, the pre-K program was taking their first field trip, so he was also invited. The "Grow Up Great" planetarium was at the "downtown Y" and the kids got to take a YMCA school bus to the other location to experience the
program. Since it wasn't actually C's day for school, Declan and I followed the bus in our car so it didn't throw off the numbers for the class (they have to have a certain number of adults for so many kids, etc). He had a lot of fun...probably equal amounts of fun on both the bus and in the "blue igloo". Declan was great on his 4 week birthday and didn't make a peep. :)
I absolutely adore that when I showed Connor this picture first thing this morning after he woke up, his comment was "She got out!" The visions I get of her escaping from Carrie are hysterical. Then tonight as I was telling my mom this story via Skype, he looked at me in all seriousness and said, "She had to get out, she was trapped in Aunt Carrie's belly." Oh, the mind of a 4 year old!
