Last Day of School and Other Current Events

Hi! Last Friday was James' final day of school for the year. I cannot believe how quickly this past year went and how much James has grown up. He is just such a wonderful child. This weekend marked the beginning of the 49 days of James - this is what I have left before the baby's due date. 49 days. Well today it's 48. I keep reminding myself to go slowly through each part of the day because (a) there really is no reason to rush (b) I have 47 more breakfasts with just James, 47 more lunches with just James, etc. and (c) our lives are going to completely change when this baby comes. Just like "Doug and Meg" became something more with James, the three of us will evolve when the baby arrives. New roles, lots of feelings, no sleep :) lots of attention that will be needed and lots of love will be needed. But no pressure right? :)  

Instead of borrowing trouble thinking about the future, we'll talk about our current happenings. Like I said, James had his last day on Friday. Here are the photos I promised - first day and last day.

On Wednesday, Toni handed an envelope to each of the parents at drop off - it contained a "little something" for us to remember the year. Toni had hand made these memory books of each of our children. She had been bringing her camera in and photographing the children for us. I was so overwhelmed (and possibly hormonal) that I started crying I was so touched. Good thing I waited until I was in the car to open it :) I love it - I'm not sure if it was meant for James or for me, but I'm keeping it. I know that sounds horrible but I'm just too afraid that James will color it or rip it by accident (he thinks everything can be taped and then made to be new again).

Here are some photos of it.

It was just so thoughtful - I can't believe she made one for every child in the class. I spoke to one other Mom who has 4 boys - the youngest of whom is in class with James - and she said that she still has the books Toni has made for all of her boys. I feel so lucky to have had such a wonderful teacher for James.

Although the last day was sad, we will be seeing Toni and Mary again in July because - I didn't win but technically won a blind bid to have James spend the day with them at the Train exhibit at the botanic gardens. I technically won the bid because I actually placed a bid but the person who won bid "the highest bid plus $20" which was in my opinion kind of sneaky. I found that out on the sly ... But we were extended an invitation because "our bids were so close" so we graciously accepted and are super excited James gets to be a part of this special day. He goes all by himself with Toni and Mary. This will be the first time James will be in another person's car without either me or Doug. I will be a mess.

To celebrate the end of school, we went to Bricks and had a blast! James was SO excited.

James and I were reading "The Foot Book" by none other than the wonderful Dr. Seuss the other day and James and I had this conversation:

"Mom, which one is this foot?"

"That's your left foot." 

"Mom, what one is this?"

"That's your right foot."

"Why I made like this? (asking kind of upset - he's noticing that he's left handed and Doug and I are not so he's very interested in this)

"Well, I'm made like that too - see here's my left leg and foot and here's my right leg and foot."

"Everybody made like this?"

"Yes"

"Why?"

"Because that's how we were made."

"Who made we like this?"

"God made us like this."

"God in Heaven Mom?"

"Yes."

"With Jesus Mom?"

"Yes."

"And Blessed Mother?"

"Yes"

"And Amen?"
"Yes ... and Amen" (trying not to smile too much)

Just a cute thing James says ... "pee-weece" for police. It rhymes with fleece. It is so hard for me not to mimic him in front of him because it's so cute. pee-weece. "that the pee-weece mom?" is like my favorite sentence to hear right now. Related to the pee-weece is the fire department. On Tuesday of last week, I had my 32 weeker and everything is good (again, thank God) and the heart rate this time was in the 140s. Baby's heart rate has ranged from 140s to 160s - same as James. No longer measuring big - the baby was lying across my stomach because according to the doctor we saw, I have no "abdominal wall strength" so the baby can just stretch out wherever. It felt like the opposite of a compliment but I know it was just a matter-of-fact statement about the current state of my stomach and abdominal muscles. No abdominal wall strength. Excellent.

Anyway, I grabbed three chocolates after my appointment and James and I walked over to the farmer's market and picked up delicious raspberries and the most fragrant peonies. I just love farmer's market season. Love it. Then on the way back to the car, we walked by the fire station and I had my phone with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! James had his boots on and was immediately whisked in to the station by the 7 or so fireman that were hanging out outside. Here's his photo by the truck. He was overwhelmed by all the attention. They even gave him a hat - he felt like such a cool guy. He was on Cloud 9 for the rest of the day. Fireman James.

I have been craving and eating my weight in watermelon. I cannot get enough of it. It is beyond delicious. With James I had to have mango and lemon sorbet. This time it's watermelon and lots of it. James calls it "watermela" and it's adorable.

In other pregnancy related news, it's freezing in our home. Freezing to others but just perfect for me. James wears long pants and long sleeved shirts and socks in the house. I'm in a t-shirt and skirt. James doesn't want to wear short sleeves or shorts because he thinks it's cold outside. It's been in the upper 80s for about a week. He almost refuses to change when we go out. But then we promise him he can change back into warm clothes when he comes back inside. Then he agrees. And then he picks out his own clothes. For example:

Then we went out on the town to fabulous places like the home depot and the container store. Look at these two guys with their perfectly sized paint buckets and paint samples. Love them!

You guys - we are starting to get things together for this baby! The old car seat is back in the house, old toys are back and are put away, the ocean wonders activity mat is back! Diapers have been ordered! A boy coming home outfit is in our house! Don't get excited about the gender - we used our previous boy coming home outfit last time....you know...with James :) we still have the girl one but we needed a "just be case it's a boy again" coming home outfit. Things are getting crossed off my humongous to do list. The paint color for the room still needs to be chosen and the furniture we ordered still needs to be delivered BUT things are happening people! Things are happening!

And finally, I have been - oh for about a few months now - craving a sprinkle cookie from Lord's bakery. The only problem with this craving is that Lord's bakery is in Flatbush. Brooklyn. New York. However, I found these at a local place.

Now James is obsessed with the sprinkle cookie AND the black and white cookie. I have told him tales about the cookies from Lord's and have made promises to him that the next time we're in New York - we will go to Lord's and we will get the big sprinkle cookies and the big black and white cookies and we will have them wrapped up in the big white box with the red and white string and they will be delicious.

I'll leave you with happy thoughts about cookies. Happy Summer Vacation!