End of the Year

While Avery isn't in "school" we are definitely getting a taste of the end of school year activities this year.

Her first dance recital is on Sunday  I have to admit, I'm glad the dance season is over.  I'm not sure if we'll have the over the top gal or the run and hide gal on that stage.

The paper came home, she moves to the Pre-K 2 class on the 13th... you know, as the current class "graduates" (gowns and all).  I can't believe next year that will be her.

We did get out and about with her best buddy at the trampoline park and swimming the weekend before last.  We also went swimming at town park for the first time this year -- here's to another year with a season pass.

Becoming Obsolete

I am (becoming obsolete) that is.  When they're little it feels like there are milestones every other day.  Now that things are spaced out a bit I am not doing a very good job of recording all of the things that Avery can do now.  Where do we start?

She helps by running the smaller vacuum to get the dog fur up.  She can buckle herself in and pull it tight enough now - sometimes she can manage to get it unbuckled too.  I often had her feed the cat at least 1 of the 2 times a day; now she also wants to be the one to feed the dogs too.

She passed the 100 days of school mark for this year and they celebrated with an ice cream party.  The intent was that they should be able to count to 100 at this point, which she can -- for the most part.  She still skips #13 frequently and sometimes needs a nudge to remember how to turn the corner from a x9 to the next y0 value.

Daycare is now closing rooms due to shortages of staff.  *sigh* Avery's room is victim this coming Wednesday.  Closures are getting old.  So is the lack of change on other fronts:  I stuck my foot out last week and wrote a letter to the church with regard to the continued masking and got fairly well dismissed.

Doing something right

I have moments where I know I am doing something right. Today was one of those days.  School is once again closed due to a parent testing positive *sigh*.  Around 11 Avery began asking for another snack/something to eat.  First choice - yogurt.  Sorry baby, we don't have any yogurt right now.  Second choice - peanut butter sammie.  Sorry baby, I don't have bread right now (I did try to get some on Sunday but the shelf was bare).  This is where she started to cry.

Mind you, I am trying to get a chunk of a workday in whilst she watches some videos and does some learning games, so I am not able to run out for groceries ATM.  I hate service fees, but here's the time to suck it up - so we instacarted some goodies from Aldi including both bread (although not my preferred brand) and some yogurt.

When I served her up it's the big smile and better than a thank you a big "I love you Mama" that warmed my heart.  A few minutes later I checked back in to find she put her empty plate by the sink -- THAT is where I know I am doing something right.

First Friend Party Attended

Avery attended her first kid's birthday party this past weekend.  It was for her best buddy, Luke, who joined her in the "4" club (officially today).  There were a couple of other kids there and they had a blast.

Once again school was closed at the end of last week.  We had a text message first thing on Wednesday morning - once again a parent tested positive.  It resulted in school being closed on Thurs and Fri too.  Today she returned, along with the dictator rules from the state forcing them to wear masks all day.

And another...

 Yet another teacher from Avery's school.  This time in her room.  Taking a deep breath.

Holiday Homeschool

Whelp.  Daycare is now officially closed until Jan 4 or 5.  They had one student's parent test positive, but the exposure to the facility was low enough that they were going to continue operating.  Now a teacher (unrelated) in another room is positive and they doors are closed.

I knew this was coming at some point.  In theory the timing is the best it could be since I have 2 paid holidays off during this window.  I also had 2 vacation days scheduled, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to really take them off given the large amount of things on my to do list.  This is going to be challenging, but the bright side is I get more time with my pumpkin.

Mask Up

I keep waiting for school to close again.  I feel like it's a matter of time.

At this point the only change is that they're starting to require masks for the kids starting on Monday.  I am not loving it.  I feel bad for the teachers that need to try and keep those ducks in a line.

Quarantine

As of Wednesday, Avery will be home with me... the whole COVID-19 thing has closed us down.  I know posting this comes as no surprise to anyone, but I'm recording it for my own notes, because hopefully one day we'll look back and it will have been a blip.

Most places seemed to have locked the doors over the weekend, so we're lucky to get two "extra" days at daycare before the closure goes into effect.  It is going to be a challenge, but I'm hoping that I can work when she sleeps and supplement with my saved up vacation time to get through.  Of course, none of us really know how long it is that we'll need to "get through", just a minimum of two weeks.

So far I've been able to get the things I think we'll need.  I'm hopeful that our supply chain will remain stable, so we can continue to get replenishment of milk and fresh fruits.  But if we can't I have enough here to last us for a while, I just can't imagine how displeased Avery would be with some of the foods that would remain.

Rebel rebel

We're starting to get tastes of surly behavior.  It's age appropriate and normal, but super frustrating.  Avery has begun saying no in response to requests for her to do things.  I'm told she stuck her tongue out at school (which has to be where she learned that too).  The hitting and swatting amped up a little again when she's displeased with what you're telling her.

The latest is not wanting to wear what I'm trying to put on her.  It's pretty hard to get a shirt on a kid that doesn't want it on.  The past two days all she wants is the owl shirt, one she wore (and dirtied) on Sunday.

She's getting big and independent, but at the same time she still says she's a baby.  I know the time will come when she says "I'm not a baby!" so I'm embracing this all and telling her she will always be my baby but that she's my big girl too.

I'm hoping nicer weather and more activities will help us get past some of this phase.  We've been trying to take advantage of a small dose of warmer weather.  Sunday we were outside coloring with chalk and Monday we went for a short walk and rode on her tricycle after she left school.  It was nice enough that they even had the kids in the playground at the end of the day.

Easy peasy lets us enjoy summer breezy!

Vacation was still easy peasy with this girl.  She did better with the water and sand this go round, even though the water was still pretty cold.  It worked out well having the earlier dining time, for sure.

Since we returned she had another great week at daycare with regard to the potty - she pooed there!

Trying to keep up

Around 4pm on Wednesday we got the text requesting that we all pick up our kids ASAP - daycare had a sewage issue going on.  I guess whatever the backup or blockage was effected the downstairs area - it was (smell) notable when I walked in.  As such they were closed on Thursday and Friday.  It was just kiddo and I and trying to keep her worn out across a long weekend has been a challenge so far.  Working when she napped also helped to completely exhaust me at this point.

I've been trying to test Avery out with a few things to see how she'd do on vacation with just a shower and sharing a bedroom with us.  That means I've used the shower sprayer when bathing her, much to her dismay.  I've gotten her to enjoy it enough that she laughs and says it tickles, but she's not a fan when it comes time to rinsing her hair.  Regardless, that we will survive.  As to bedtime, that's another story - man she can fight to stay up all night and even once she falls asleep she's kicking, turning, and climbing out of the blankets.  Last night was not a good night's sleep as a result, but it was doable.

Final "first" to report was not being fast enough to prevent her from tossing herself off of the bed this evening.  She's okay, but she scared herself as she tumbled down landing on the dog bed.  I've been warning her, but I guess there are some things you don't fully get until you experience them first hand. I'm just glad she didn't get hurt.

On a streak...

Avery has been managing to pee on the potty once a day since her breakthrough.  We've also had a big poop on the potty right at bedtime the past few nights.  I'm pleased with her efforts!

I also wanted to make some notes on the books that Avery has been adoring.  She definitely gets on kicks with books.  A while back she was obsessed with Pat the Bunny.  As of late her obsession is Dog's Colorful Day.  We often see I'm a Little Teapot too (not my favorite).

As to her Christmas gifts it seems that the art easel is well loved, but I think the biggest success was the ice cream stand.  She plays with it most every night and I can see how her play with it will evolve as she learns and gets older.

I went pee-pee in the potty!

She did it!  Avery went pee-pee on the potty at school today!  I've been waiting for this breakthrough.  I think it's going to help us greatly moving forward.

Humpty Dumpty

On Friday school called me shortly after 10am.  No one was more eager to hear what they had to say than I was after she started out with "we had an accident".  I left the house shortly thereafter to find my kiddo still wailing a bit, to take her straight to MedExpress.  Long story short, she fell in the hall as the class was headed downstairs for playtime and put her upper lip, just below her nose into the metal door stopper.

We are so grateful that God was watching over her. There are no broken or loose teeth, no broken nose, no major damage whatsoever... but it sure didn't look like that was the case.  She has a scratch on her upper lip towards her nose and no cut on the inside of her mouth.  Her nose continues to try to bleed and is still a bit swollen and slightly mis-shapen.  Her lip swelling went down a good bit, but you can still see the bruise just inside of her mouth on her top lip.

She's a trooper.  She still ate well and has allowed me to brush her teeth pretty normally since the day of.  She did bump it last night and cried a bit as her nose bled a little.  I love to cuddle with her and when she came home she was happy to cuddle with me until her nap time -- but I don't want her cuddles if it means she is in pain.

I'm to follow up with her pediatrician.  Since the office was closed when I called on Friday afternoon I have to wait until tomorrow to try and get her in asap.  In the mean time, I continue my prayers of gratitude for how lucky we are and to ask for healing and to have the swelling go away returning her beautiful little face untouched.

From take a bite to no bite!

Once again Avery got bit at daycare, this time on her back.  I understand she was going for a book and someone behind her didn't want her to have it.  They got her good.  I don't think it broke the skin, but darn near.  I am sure she was too busy squealing and crying to tell them "no bite" like she does with us when we're pretend/play biting at or near her.

Today was also great progress as she ate ALL of her salisbury steak, 2 servings of mashed potatoes, two servings of fruit cocktail, and some of the veggies (mixed in with the mashed potatoes).  She also woofed down some breakfast w/ me before I dropped her off this morning (a rare treat).  For dinner she ate some banana and orange on her own with her fancy new fork while I finished making pancakes - she ate two of those too.  I think someone is getting ready for a growth spurt.

The forks are actually metal, smaller versions of what an adult would use with a slightly rounded tip.  The kiddie forks couldn't spear anything when I tried to use them, she definitely wasn't successful with them.  I'm quite pleased with this Amazon purchase.  Hopefully they'll hold up.  I might need to go ahead and order her a set of spoons and knives!

Everything changing

The smile evolved into actually reaching for a teacher in the morning.  Today I only got one quick hug before the turn away from me happened.  I'll blame it on the yummy smelling breakfast, but I think Avery is feeling okay with her new daycare.

Today I got her out of the seat in the lot and carried her to the sidewalk.  From there she walked into the building herself.  I was going to march her straight to the classroom, but she stopped at her hook and started working to get her jacket off.  How big is my girl?!  At this point she would not walk any further, so I gladly picked her up for a hug as we took the last few steps down the hall.

On the way out I held her little hand as she walked down the hall and up all of the stairs to the door.  Since it was rainy and gross I carried her from there.

She still isn't loving all of their food however, so she was ready to eat when we got home.  She ate a cutie all by herself, save one slice I tried, and then she grabbed the spoon and proceeded to make good progress on the fruit and cereal and yogurt.  She was even willing to try a couple of little bits of my steak!

Avery's vocabulary continues to expand every day.  I counted over 30 words and 12 signs, but I know I am missing some in my list.  When she can understand is beyond all of that for sure as she seems to really grasp a lot of concepts.

A smile is progress

Today Avery smiled for Miss Tracey when we arrived.  She clung to me and didn't want to go to her, but she smiled.  That's progress.

I look back at every picture I post and wonder how can she get cuter with every single one.  God I love this little girl so much.

Emotionally Exhausted

It's been a rough week emotionally.  Avery isn't pleased thus far.  Sure, by the end of the day she seems content enough.  When I walk into the open play area to pick her up she's playing in a car or toddling about, but she's quick with a smile for me and she heads my direction - ready to go home.

She also isn't thrilled with the food.  I know she'll get there, but all week all she wanted to eat at daycare were the bread-based foods they offered with a wee bit of fruit and her milk.  C'mon kid, you gotta eat more than that.  Needless to say she comes home hungry and asking me for food.

I hate seeing her crying and clinging to me each morning.  It breaks my heart.  Couple that with worries for friends and hearing that our favorite teacher, as I'll admit was expected, is going somewhere else and I'm feeling down.  I'm waking up several times at night and just not rested.

The evenings somehow seem shorter too, like I'm not seeing Avery at all.  I need this weekend, that's for sure.

Today I take a load of spring/summer clothes to consignment.  I'm also going to pull off the band aid and take Avery's swing.  As I've commented before, it brought her so much comfort and peace that it is hard to part with.

Tomorrow is off to college

We had a great weekend.  Avery continued wanting to sleep in, which doesn't bode well for tomorrow morning, since we need to get up and get moving a bit earlier than we did for our previous care plans.  I did get her down for bed a bit early tonight, so that should help some.  I feel like I am taking her for her first day of school tomorrow.  I know I'll survive the change, but I need to get through the first day or two to settle myself.

She also enjoyed her bath again tonight! Lately baths = tears.  I'm glad she was laughing and splashing again with only a few tears when her hair was getting rinsed.

We're also starting to fight a little bit of diaper rash again.  She's had her finger in her mouth a good bit so maybe a tooth is pushing upward, but I cannot see anything just yet.

I decided the other day I needed to start an inventory of Avery's words, signs, and the things she clearly understands.  I was trying to get a real grasp of where she was.  Here's where we are, I have to say, I am quite impressed with her - once again.

Words:
Mama
Daddy
Baby
Gigi - dog?
Saffy
Neen
Elmo
Eat
Up
Please
Thank you
Huh-uh - no
Apple
I love you
Moo (for cow)
Oops
Uh-oh
All done
Sock
Help
Shoe
Bubble

Signs:
Eat
Drink
Water
Milk
Please
Thank you
Cookie
I love you
Finished
More

Other things she understands:
Shapes in the shape sorter - if she gets the wrong one she shakes her head no
Sheepie
Book
Waves hi/bye
Holds phone to ear

Transition to new places

So far this week, Avery has been doing amazingly at my friend's place w/ her kids and Nanny.  They both told me what a chill child she is and how much fun.  She's taking good naps there, starting to go back down at night w/o issue (after a few days of struggle w/ naps and bedtime), and even wanting to sleep in a bit in the morning.  They're definitely wearing her out.  She's coming home with art work and getting exposed to different foods as well.

This shift is making me feel like she'll be okay next week and that the changes to food and routine are going to be good for her.

I dropped off some supplies at her new daycare this morning and picked up our keyfobs.