First day back to School

Back to the grind, as they say. But, I am not sure if it technically could be called that when you are going back to 3rd and 1st grade and preschool. Actually, it counts for Rowan. Even though, Kaj is really at odds why summer is only 3 months long and believe that it should be reversed and the rest of the year dedicated to time off. It was nice to have them starting back--yeah, that house is quiet and I kinda miss the loud of the boys being home but they needed to go back. Luckily, they have buddies in their classes and are already doing really well.Kaj and Josh also began playing soccer this fall. It has been really fun to see the growth they have made in just weeks. Josh is starting when a lot of other kids are starting so he is definitely been able to hold his own. Kaj is starting a little later than other kids his age, but I feel like the coaches are very mindful of him and helping his improve. 

Kaj has had a few hang ups this year about the rules changing at school. There is a new principal this year, and he has implemented new rules. Kaj came home the first day and sat me down to have a private conversation and said, " he is literally like Mr. Krupp." ( this is the mean principal from the Captain Underpants series) 😂 But, he seems to be getting over it little by little.

Josh, as usual, has had a great attitude. The rules don't seem to bother him. He has made some good buddies within the first few days, which is nice. But, really, the beginning of this year has had an ease about it.

Rowan started his last year of preschool. He is back at Alyce Hatch with the same teachers he had last year. The group he is with has doubled, but he seems to have adapted really nicely. The teachers have been amazed at how much he has changed just over the summer. He has so much more spontaneous language, he is answering questions, he is more engaged with them. All great things. So many times I have talked about Rowan, and the pride I feel in who he is, but also the wonder and questions I have about the future for him. Ultimately, I know it is bright, and he is the light in the very room he enters in. I had a realization when he was taking swim lessons over the summer, as I sat and watched him with the small swim class he was in a class with two other little kids, and the teacher. He seemed to love it. But, there were times I noticed one of the other children do something and without fail the other would then begin mimicking the same action, and Rowan, would almost always do something different. Most times, he wouldn't seem to notice that they were both doing something and if he did he never changed what he was doing.  I was suddenly hit with a feeling of gratitude for that. He will never feel pressured to do something that other people are doing, not only will he not feel the pressure, I don't think he will even sense the pressure. He will make his own way, Rowan's way. He will decide. How amazing is that?! He is such a great boy! There are full sentences now that he will say that catch me off guard. I am obsessed with hearing what he has to say! Sam gave him a bowl of ice cream the other day, "Thanks, dad. This is my favorite!" -Rowan says- that whole sentence! He says "I love you, mom" or "I love you, dad" at bedtime whoever is by his bed. When the boys will sometimes Cheers each other at dinner, Rowan will add, "To the kids!" 😂 He is funny and sweet. And dang, feel so lucky to have him.

The Baby Sister

So, this is the biggest news of our summer. It also changed the way the summer went, if I am being honest. In that, I wasn't feeling well, and the list of the summer plans went out the window a little. Half the summer my boys didn't know. They didn't complain, they were patient, and happy, perhaps because they didn't know all the plans I had actually made. 

But, lets start from the start. I found out, I cried, Sam was optimistic and happy. So, I was happier. It took longer to process this one because we had taken this idea off the table and so I was planning my life without a pitstop in PregnancyVille again. 

I didn't really want to share with anyone until we found out what we were having. I don't know why, I just didn't. I wanted to tell and announce all at once. So, at 9 weeks Sam and I thought it well worth the cost to find out early what we were having. They do a test called Panorama that tests different  things for any chromosomal abnormalities as well as test the gender by seeing if the Y chromosome is present. 

So, I took the test on a Monday and the following Tuesday the phone call came. The one I had been thinking of. When I imagined the news I only could hear her telling me it was a boy. A boy is all I have ever heard. So, I was prepared to hear that again. She first told me that all things tested for any abnormalities tested normal. This was great news! Then, she asked me, "Did you want to know the gender?" "Yes." I told her. Deep breath. "You're having a little girl." Deep breath. Some little tears filling me eyes. 

"Really?" I verified, really wanting to make sure I heard correctly. 

"Is that a good thing?" She laughed a little.

 "Well, I have 4 boys.."

 Exclaiming, "Oh!! Well! It looks like you will have to get some pink." 💕

Pink. A girl. Oh my goodness. So, rewinding even more- almost a whole year. Sam and I had a talk. We talked about different impressions and feelings we each had experienced making us believe we were meant to have a little girl join our family. So, what felt like suddenly, and also knowingly we are having this little girl. 

Look at the boys faces. They were so excited, they still are so excited. They will ask, "How many more days till the baby sister comes?" or "I can't wait to meet the baby sister." Rowan seems to even know about her in a small way. He'll sometimes say we're going to see the baby sister. But, if I ask him where she is he will answer: mom's belly. 

As of right now, I am excited- no question about that. I do sometimes feel like it will be strange have a girl after all these boys. I hope I will be a good mom to a girl. A good example to her. I hope that I will be strong example. And, in time, a friend. My Boy Mom badge will be hung up. Which, I wear proudly, but I have a feeling it won't matter when I meet her. I still can't really believe it. I still didn't know this would actually happen. I still really really love Jonah as my baby. It is hard for me to think of him not being the baby. It makes me feel better knowing he'll always be the baby brother. He just...is. 

So, we are just plugging along here now and awaiting the arrival of the baby sister. She definitely is a lucky one to have so many brothers eager to meet her, protect her, and love her.