The Readiness to Change

And suddenly Easton is a bonafide human. I don't know when or how it happened, but Easton's vocabulary and comprehension took off one day. He went from a bumbling mumbler, to a full-fledged communicator, hilarious face-maker, and sarcastic-filled being. It's really entertaining, he has such a funny personality. Too bad it took him many years longer than his sister to show it to us!

People around us are noticing too. It's one of those "Oh, I guess I need to watch what I'm saying" moments that all parents have around their children. But honestly, this happened overnight. I think this adds to the hilarity of his awareness, it's almost like he just woke up! His 'a-ha' moment, as Oprah would say, came exactly when he was ready.

It's funny how kids will do things when they're ready, they don't want to be pushed, and they work on their own internal clock. I've been struggling with Sylvia's reading for the past year now, and her school is amazing about teaching thorough comprehension and sight words (knowing better than me that you can't force kids into it). She has been reading bits here and there, but rarely in front of us, and totally in denial about it. "No mom, I can't read that. It's too hard," she'll say to us, knowing full well she can and has read it many times over. But Syl is a perfectionist about certain things, and pronouncing a word incorrectly has been a fear for her. She'd rather not try then try and fail (poor thing).

But again, the lesson of the day, she shows us she does know how to read, and she is full expressing comprehension and proper use of grammar. She read me 4 books last night, enunciating and using proper inflections at all the right places. It's amazing to see how her head works, how the light bulb is on, and why she was frustrated to try. Reading is hard, I can't imagine learning another language (which is what learning to read seems akin to). But I can safely say that not only is she getting it, but she's loving it. I'm so proud of her!

Preschool Prep

Easton has started going to a small, 'Mom's Day Out' preschool program once a week. I'd be lying if I were to say it sucks, because frankly it's been beyond awesome. I can somehow cram a ton of work into 2.5 hours of alone time that often when I pick him up, I'm sweating. Seriously, that's how fast I roll. The first week he was intrigued, the second week he really didn't want to be there, and the third week I didn't even warn him, which left him no time to psych himself out. Every time I pick him up he's super happy, a sign that he loves it. They do crafts (which I can just picture how that goes down), play in the church gym with the older kids, have snacks, sing and dance, and listen to stories. It's the easiest intro to preschool that I know, and thus far it's awesome. We planned on doing it next fall, but decided to send him to Lafayette, a preschool that Syl attended. It's more affordable and the main woman has been there for 35 years. Yes, I have friends that attended her preschool as small children. Amazing. Plus they have every original Fischer Price toy ever made, some from 40 years ago! It's 3 mornings a week, and though I wish it were 4 hours, it'll do.

I'm planning my year out and it's already looking full. As I agree to shoot more weddings on my own, I'm working with 2 area photographers as second shooter to their weddings. It's a lovely and symbiotic relationship that I will probably continue, at least until Easton is in school full-time. As some of you know, it's incredibly difficult to work from home when your child is mobile. And sometimes my child is not only mobile, but he is airborn. Right now, work is slow, and I try to dedicate lots of solo time with the boy. Yet when spring and fall hit, I have to be realistic about my schedule and Easton receiving proper attention.

One goal we've been trying to reach is potty-training. And I'll be honest, it's failing miserably. This is most likely because he's not ready, but it's also because we just don't have time. Syl picked it up so easily and quickly, that I really don't know what approach to take with him. My ped told me to wait until it's warm out so he can just be naked. But do you live in St. Louis? We've been having the mildest season ever, which lends itself well to nakedness. Yet he still pes and poops wherever he feels the need to, a sign of his unreadiness to train.

It's ok, I'm just a bit nervous to have him be the only child in his entire class in diapers. Syl was in this same class a few years back, and no one wore diapers. Sure, 3 & 4 year olds may have accidents, but all of them were potty-trained. So crap, literally.