Springtime…..

…we are so looking forward to it. While it really hasn't been a bad winter over all, I think for most of us, the record breaking one day storm we got on Tuesday right after a three day weekend, has taken the breath out of many of us.  I know as far as winter experiences this one was pretty memorable for both good and bad reasons…but enough of winter, I am trying to look forward and praying that before long we'll be sitting on patios and enjoying the spring breeze.

…I haven't written in awhile, not for lack of time really but just not sure I wanted to write about some of the negative I've been feeling.  It has been a hard time and while there has been so much positive, I wanted to work out some of the issues, if I could, before recording this. Again, very different to adopt a toddler than a baby and it has and is taking me a bit of time to adjust as well…but we are getting there and lots of good progress...

…a few changes here…as I mentioned in a previous post,  Malia started preschool at the end of January and I went back to work at the beginning of February. As I work contract to contract I knew that it would be easier to get one at the beginning of a semester and not when my parental leave ended in April…and Malia was definitely showing signs that she really needed more stimulus than I was giving her at home.  She, like Matteo, is a social bunny.  She is so curious and though we still have our challenges with some of her past way of dealing with things, rears its head, she is doing so well and goes off with a "By Mummy"….unlike Matteo who was always in tears. When I pick her up she comes running to me and gives me a great big hug…so wonderful…as I continue to worry about attachment.

The best news of all is where her preschool is. Unfortunately I had hoped that she would be in the same preschool Matteo went to, in the elementary school where Matteo is now, but they did not have a spot, so needed to look around. Found a spot a couple of blocks away in a high school for Adults…and while at first I was upset at this as it meant two stops in the morning, it all fell into place like MAGIC (or God working his miracles)…I got a contract at this same school and my classroom is just down the hall from Malia's preschool…I can peek in on her during the day and if they are going to the gym they go by my class and I usually get a "Hi Mom" and sometimes a hug and then back she goes…the first few times she saw me she ran to me and then cried…but now, even though she resists going back, she doesn't cry. I can't explain how comforting this is to know she is very close and know she is doing well and she can see me through the day.  She and I are both doing well, I am loving my new contract and she is loving her preschool. She is tired but is managing…..her language is developing too, with new phrases and words though I still worry about this especially if she "might" be in school in Junior Kindergarten in September…..She is eligible, though this was another reason I wanted her in preschool to see if she can handle the day to day….she is feisty and has a great sense of humour and knows all the children's names and her caregivers…and in the end it is kind of nice that she had a different space than Matteo so that it is hers and she is not known as Matteo's sister…I remember that as I was the youngest of four and I remember when I went to a high school that none of my sisters went to, it was nice not being compared to any of them….so, so far it is all going better than I would have expected and nice to see her in her new environment.  Anyhow I'll wait to see how she does in the longer term before I decide if she is going to start JK in September or if we'll wait another year.

…The other great thing is that once we drop Malia off, I can walk Matteo to his school and spend some one on one time with him and then walk back and still be in time for work. I was also worried I'd have to put him in the morning program at the school again, but so far for the next few months, this is mostly the plan.

…But I'm still looking forward to spring!