J is independent

I have wanted to write for a long time.  I'm just so excited.  Two weeks ago we were at Playcentre.  Two of the moms were off for an "adventure walk" to mail a letter.  The letterbox was about a 5 min adult walk away.  They took some kids and asked Julian if he wanted to go with them.  He hesitated and did his yes, no, yes, no...walking close to them and running back to me, running up to them, backing off, etc.  I said that I would stay at the centre with Miles.

At the last minute he left.  I was actually shocked.  He came back after 15-20 min and was so excited about the walk.  He told me everything that he did and he was the "big boy" who posted the letter.  I was so proud of him.  I told him that that is how it will always be when he's away from mommy.  I'll always come back or he will come back to me.

Two days later we had a dinner arranged at 7pm with Dan's colleagues.  J has never had a babysitter than he's known of, because he's always asleep.  Dan put him to bed about an hour earlier than normal.  FYI: He never gets out of bed at night, just the morning after his "sun comes up" on the GroClock.  He was not having it.  It was too early.  He cried and cried.  I finally gave him a Richard Scarry book to read.  The baby sitter came.  I didn't know what to do.  I knew he'd get out of bed.  I told her to just call.

After we left and ordered our food I got a call from a sobbing Julian.  I came back.  He was happily playing on the ipad.  I told him that he could stay up late and watch a movie with the babysitter and I leave and then come back, or I could stay and he'd have to go to bed.  I know you think I'm crazy, but I was shocked when he said he'd stay up late for the movie.  He was thrilled.  He said, "go mommy, and you'll come back."  So, I had a lovely evening.  I do feel badly for the babysitter.  I don't think that is what she planned, but honestly, he is a gem and was perfect...though she couldn't understand his American accent....or him just being 2 and half.

Schools:
We've been visiting Montessori schools.  The first one was amazing and J fit right in to the place.  He grabbed the teachers hand  (that's amazing to me as well) to be shown around.  He also was very adventurous in their play yard...just a new kid.

The only thing holding us back from Montessori is that he has to be toilet trained and he is absolutely refusing to go on the toilet.  I actually said I'd buy him anything, hoping he wouldn't ask for the $80 Buzz Lightyear doll, just to bribe him to sit on the dumb toilet.  I cannot believe how resistant he is.  I don't mind that he's not doing it, but I thought he'd show interest in going by now.

He doesn't ask me to "come with me mommy" at every second anymore.  He plays outside by himself, or inside by himself while I hang out laundry.  It's so refreshing.


Helping with Miles:
Miles was so sick with ear infection and on antibiotics.  We didn't sleep for 2 weeks.  I was so brain dead after one week of no sleep that I didn't realize that M hadn't had a wet nappy for 6 hours and was refusing to nurse.  I pumped some milk and Julian fed it to him while I pumped the other side.  Ahhhh...I just love him.  He is so sweet and helpful!

Today he helped me grocery shop.  He is so obedient, helpful, works hard, watches out for Miles, etc.  My first born is back to his old, sweet self.  I wish I could challenge him more, but my brain is so dead these days due to little sleep.  M was better and STTN again, but now is stuffy with a cold which wakes him multiple times at night.  Ugh.  I can't wait until my mom can help me when we visit!  Yes Granny, I hope you're reading this...ha ha!!

Here is a photo of Julian feeding Miles when M was so sick. The bruise on J's cheek is from a steep slide.  He was going down feet first and on his tummy to slow himself with his hands, but it didn't work.  He flew off and smashed his cheek on the bottom of the slide.