Jackie has a girlfriend!

The transition into co-op preschool has gone...I honestly don't know how to say how well it has gone. Jack barely likes to be left with his Auntie, let alone total strangers. Last year's brief experiment with co-op was a total disaster, so I had very low expectations for this year. I honestly get fairly speechless when I try to explain my incredulity.



The first day I stayed since it was my duty day. The next day we talked it out over and over, and when it came time for me to leave his little lip quivered and the tears welled, but he was fine just a few minutes after I left. The next day it was a bit of the same, and every day since he's given me a big smacking kiss goodbye and that's it. We talk a lot about how I'll always come get him from playgroup, and when I get there he repeats it over and over "You came to get me at playgroup?!" and it obviously comforts him. (Speech therapy note: playgroup is pronounced "pay-geeoop")

His teacher is very keen on potty training, and it's actually having some effect: he's peed on the potty 4 or 5 times now, twice at home. So no pressure, but we're starting to think about potty training. Fun.

Today was another duty day at co-op, so I got to see him do several fairly adorable things. There's a little girl, Alice, who hung out close with me today and so she and Jack spent a lot of time together. At the end of the day, Jack got right in front of her, bent down a bit so their faces were close, and exclaimed "I like you!" several times. It was delicious. I wish so much my Nanny could see him. She would adore him.

I adore him.

My son loves me

I've posted before about the hard relationship with Nate. I've often been frustrated and snappy with him; I lose my patience too easily. For his part, he's never been cuddly or loving, he's often moody and prickly. It has been tough.

I have always tried to work on our relationship, figuring out what my grumpier times are, trying to meet him where he is, changing things around. The last four months I've worked so extra hard, realizing that he's now at an age where he's going to start remembering things and I'll be damned if he only remembers the bumpy spots between us.

And it worked. It worked. My son loves me. He left last night for a weekend with Daddy, and before he left he said he'd remember me by the bracelets he was wearing because I got them for him. When he realized I wasn't going on the trip, he frowned and said "but I love my Mommy!" He told me he'd miss me. And while he was away he drew me a picture of one of my favorite things: a rainbow.

Last week he woke up before I did and crawled into bed with me. He snuggled up front to front and murmured that he loved me.

We did it. I did it. Things still aren't perfect and because I'm human and he's human and that's life they never will be. But they're good, they're great, they're enough to be grateful for. I am so grateful.

Cuteness

Nate was just picked up to head to school (carpool!!) and Jack was standing at the door watching him go. I said "say goodbye to Nate" and Jack said "goodbye Nate! Thanks for the party!" which is exactly what I told him to say to Deborah when we were leaving her party three days ago. Could he be any cuter?