Today I was thinking to myself that this is the happiest time of my life to date. So much of it has to do with sharing life with Joaquin. So I thought It would be a good idea to write that down! I am so content just hanging out with him. Last night I went salsa dancing, one of the things I used to love to do on a regular basis. The crowd has changed a lot, and while I had a good time, I was ready to get back to my life as a mommy. J spent the night with his buddies and the house felt so quiet...I couldn't wait to pick him up this a.m.
Christmas was great. We spent the day itself with Kris, Jamie, and company, very relaxing and lots of time for the kids to play. J got to play the Wii Dance and he loved it so much that he was the last one standing. Everybody else wandered away eventually, but there he was, dancing away.
Which leads us to his next adventure. I had him on a waiting list for a tumbling class since about last October. They called right after Christmas and said they had an opening in their tumbling/tap/ballet class. Sure, why not; after his performance over Christmas it seemed like the thing to do. Now he has tiny little tap shoes and jazz shoes, and every Saturday morning he is the only boy in a class surrounded by about fifteen little girls all decked out in their tu-tu ballet outfits He loves it. The first day we sauntered in there, I had no idea that everyone was going to be dressed to the nines. We promptly found him a pair of tights in the girls section at Target, another mom offered to sell her son's shoes (the class didn't work out for her son), and off we went. I'm also seriously considering Karate or Tai Kwan Do or one of the other martial arts beginning in the fall because he seems to be naturally coordinated. Who knew?
Back to Christmas. We headed out for Oklahoma City right after Christmas, to meet and spend time with my sister Karla's new in-laws. We had the best time! Joaquin loved every minute and was better-behaved than I would have predicted. We took his little backpack full of puzzles and activities everywhere we went. He adapted well to new homes and people, loved staying in the hotel, eating breakfast and swimming in the pool. He was given a lot of attention and affection, and Mom got the benefit of having others pitch in with caring for him. The last night about ten of us went out to eat together, and there he sat in a crowded restaurant, quietly focused on coloring a picture. It was one of those moments when I savored the realization that his attention span, focus, and ability to entertain himself were really coming along. He seemed so different (delayed) than his peers in that area for quite a long time, and he's doing so much better. I'm grateful, I used to worry about it a bit. Being new to motherhood, I appreciate it a lot when other parents let me know that kids develop at their own pace, just roll with it. I'm getting better at it, though I have to say that with significant delays in all areas when he initially came home, it's nice to feel like we are over the hump in so many noticeable ways.
January was an interesting month, we've had a grand total of six snow days since school started back after the holiday break. Three of those days I've brought him to work with me, and he has really done well. I have to say that even a few months ago I wouldn't have considered taking him to work with me; his attention span was just not there yet and I don't think anybody would have gotten any work done. The owners of the business are very family-friendly and have encouraged me to bring him. Finally I felt ready to try it, and I was pleasantly surprised. He watches movies on his portable DVD player, and loves the attention of the administrative staff - Lynn, Michelle, and Stacy. Last week his buddy Tanner (Stacy's boy) was there as well, and they had a really good time together. I'm very grateful for this option and relieved it works well. I'm also grateful that some days I can take him back to his old preschool, that helps too. It's been a month of creativity with the childcare situation. We spent three of the days home as well, two last week during the "blizzard of 2011." A foot of snow, high winds, etc. Something rarely seen in KC. We enjoyed it, actually. I have been very aware of choosing my perspective - is it a bummer or is it fun? I also put myself on time-outs when I need a break from the little rascal, and he understands that too. Hey, it goes both ways.
J's English proficiency is skyrocketing. He is using complete sentences more often than not. We are starting to have interesting conversations, and he is asking a lot of questions: "Mommy, do you like chimneys?"
One morning I was humming a little tune (subconsciously, per usual) on the way to the bus stop. J said, "Mom, no more singing until sun is awake," i.e. "I can't handle your cheerfulness before dawn, try and keep it under wraps." FYI we head to the bus stop at 6:45 a.m.
I started using a red, yellow, and green light system with his school after-care teacher to reinforce the behaviors we want from him. It's working really well. He loves to earn a green light day, for which he earns 5 books before bed. Yellow light day is 4 books, and red light day is only 2 books. Plus with a green light day you get the added bonus of a piece of candy. He is very serious about asking the teacher what color his day was when I come to pick him up. He is a child that wants to please and I'm glad that the system works for him. He really doesn't need a lot of discipline. He can't stand being on time-out so that one works too.
He continues to be food-focused. His attention right now is on giving the gift of food to others. He often plans ahead when we're going to go see his buddies, and asks to take them a "Dora snack" (fruit snack) or a juice box. One night he lined up popcorn, kernel by kernel, on the table before his friends were coming over. Crazy guy.
I could not be happier with my son. Even after two and a half years I am still learning to say "my son" and realize it is true. He's my son! I could not be more grateful, content, and full of love for him on a cellular level. He is the gift of my life.
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