Meeting Jacob Two Years Ago

It was two years ago today that I met Jacob for the first time. I remember how shy and quite he was. He clung to my shoulder or leg and didn't want to let go. I was with him for about one and half hours before he started to go a few feet away to get toys and play. He wanted to make sure I wasn't going to leave and couldn't quite trust me yet.

Now two years later, he is a different kid. He is happy and outgoing. He is not afraid to wander away and has no problem leaving me. He happily goes to daycare and other activies trusting that I will return later in the day. While his playful personality has not changed, his attacment and security is strong today.

To celebrate two years home, Jacob moved into a regular bed. M moved into his toddler bed last week and Jacob moved into a twin bed. He will stay in that bed for the next few months at least. I plan to eventually buy bunk beds for the boys but will wait until they are both a little older.

Camp Interruption

Our friend J had a senior high retreat this weekend. J is one of the hardest workers I know. She is 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. Of all of the kids I work with, she is the one that I know gives 110% effort at school. She has chosen getting help with school work over sporting events and activities with her friends more than once.

This weekend was one of those awe inspiring times. I was notified last week that she had a school activity involving a technology group and homework help on Saturday. The group meets once a month and promises to help her with college when she graduates high school. It is a huge commitment that goes for all four years of high schools. In the summer, she will spend time working at internships and other activities that will help her greatly in a few years.

The conflict that arose last week was that she was suppose to be at a winter retreat with the senior high youth group at church. J took care of the problem herself. She explained the situation to the education director at the church. The education director found an adult at the retreat willing to make the 1 1/2 hour drive from the camp to the school group. I agreed to take J from the group back to camp last night.

It was not the way I really wanted to spend a Saturday evening after working all day. I loaded the boys into the car, gave them snacks for the trip and off we went. Jacob and M both have very bad colds and haven't felt well. Jacob was really feeling under the weather last night and today. The only medication young children are suppose to take for colds is tylenol or ibuprofen.

Jacob and M were very well behaved on the trip to camp and back. The total trip to just over 3 hours with a brief stop for dinner. We listened to children's music from around the world in the car and watched for deer and cows (which we saw lots of). It turned out to be a much better trip than I had anticipated.

The highlight of the evening was just knowing that J was able to participate in the retreat despite having a school activity. I was very proud of her when I heard she was willing to miss the retreat to work on homework and other school related activities.

Not Really Sick

I woke Jacob up at our normal time this morning. He stated he couldn't go to school because he was sick. I asked him what hurt and he stated it was his tummy and head. I felt his head and thought he might be a little warm. It's often difficult to tell since he has been wrapped up in warm blankets but I thought he might really be sick. M was sick earlier this week with a fever so I thought Jacob might have caught whatever M had.

About an hour later, Jacob woke up laughing and giggling. He asked if he could go shopping for a new comforter for his bed and to go out to breakfast. I asked him if he was sick. He stated he wasn't. I asked him if he was sick the first time I woke him up. He stated he wasn't. He stated, "I just want a Mommy Jacob day."

Jacob and I had a long talk about how important it is not to fake being sick. I called work and told them I would come in for the second half of my shift. Jacob has been acting as though he needed some special attention the past few days. I allowed him to have breakfast with me before going to school just a little late. Hopefully, he learned a lesson and won't fake illness again for awhile. I probably won't be as understanding about it next time.

Evaluation Time

I received a folder with evaluation information from Jacob's preschool teachers. It was fun to look at and very informative. Normally, the school has parent/teacher conferences but due to some staffing issues, that did not happen. The school sent the folders home instead with a note to feel free to talk to the teachers or director if there were any concerns.

You may remember that Jacob was moved up a class last fall. I was a little nervous about how he would do academically in the older class. I really wanted to try it but was anxious to see if he could do the work. The evaluation showed that he can do the work. He is working on recognizing the letters in his name not just memorizing how to spell it. He knows most of his shapes and only missed two. He called a rectangle a box and stated a diamond was "pieces of a triangle." He has progressed from needing a lot of help making his cot to being one of the best "cot makers" in the class.

I tried to talk to Jacob about how he was doing last night but he really wasn't interested. As far as he is concerned, how well he does academically is not the biggest concern. He really only wants to have fun. That is one of my main goals for him too and one that he meets almost every day.

M's New Bed and Jacob 's Old Bed

Good Night Bad Morning

M has been doing much better walking with me. He only asks to hold my hand which I want him to hold anyway. Last night he decided he wanted to sleep in Jacob's toddler bed. He spent the entire night in it. I was so proud of him! I promised Jacob I would buy him a new comforter for his bed if he lets M have his old one.

M woke up full of energy and spunk this morning. I took him to daycare still looking great. An hour and a half later, he had a fever and was refusing to eat. He is on antibiotics but I can see some very ugly drainage coming from his ear. I have an appointment to take him to the doctor again later this morning. He is currently sleeping in Jacob's old bed with fresh tylenol.

I feel very bad for M and realize he is not feeling well. I am just really frustrated with his ears. I have been assured that some children just get more ear infections than others but it still frustrates me. I just want him healthy and feel helpless right now. Hopefully, the doctor will be able to give him a different antibiotic (third in a week) that will work better. Otherwise, I don't know what to do about it. I would appreciate prayers that he begins to feel better soon and the doctors are able to help him.

Walking Difficulties

M and I are struggling to get along the past couple of days. I have decided it is time to stop carrying him everywhere. He is now capable of walking with us and following directions. The biggest obstacle to opening my home to another young child or infant is not being able to carry two kids at once.

I decided that it is time for M to begin walking when we are only going short distances. So far the biggest battles are to and from the car. He pretty much screams the entire way but he does walk. I am hoping a few more days of me holding my ground will send the message that I am serious.

I have also realized that M listens much better at daycare than he does at home. I had fallen into a rut of just thinking of him as a baby and not a toddler. If he doesn't listen, I was just accepting it as he didn't understand yet. I realized at daycare that he does understand. He just doesn't think he has to listen. Well kid, those days are over. I have been holding him more responsible for listening and he is improving.